Mail - Upper Yarra Star Mail - 30th July 2024

Upper Yarra Mail

All about Good Food

By Callum Ludwig

The much-loved Gladysdale Bakehouse has been recognised for its tasty array of baked goods and treats, being announced as a 2024 Reader’s Choice Award winner by the Australian Good Food Guide.

Co-owners Jason and Melanie Rush have owned and operated the bakery in Yarra Junction for nearly 17 years this year.

Mr Rush said it was a bit of a surprise.

“It’s not something that we go out chasing, we just do what we do from day to day but I think when you get something from someone like that who’s a pretty reputable organisation I would have thought, it’s good credit and recognition to the staff that come in and work their butts off every day,” he said.

Gladysdale Bakehouse is one of 11 bakeries to be recognised in the Australian Good Food Guide’s 2024 awards.

Turn to page 10 for more

Melanie Rush with the ever-popular vanilla slice. (Stewart Chambers: 421211)

Driver sentenced

By Callum Ludwig

25-year-old Uber driver and student Anmoldeep Singh has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for dangerous driving in Wandin North that caused the death of 89-year-old Lewis Carnegie and serious injury to his brother Peter in February 2023. Mr Singh, who had pled guilty in the County Court of Victoria, apologised to the family of Mr Carnegie, including his daughter Ann

O’Connor and her husband who attended the sentencing, as well his Mr Carnegie’s grandaughter Jorja O’Connor, who was driving her grandfather and great-uncle when Mr Singh struck them with his Toyota Corolla.

Judge Frances Hogan said there was ‘no explanation’ other than that Mr Singh ‘did not look or pay attention’ when he failed to stop at the intersection of Wellington Road and Clegg Road at about 3.55 on 11 February 2023.

Mr Singh was transporting two Uber pas-

sengers Jessica Henning and Justin King to a wedding only a short distance away and was travelling at a speed of between 42-44km/h through the intersection when he struck Jorja O’Connor’s car, which was travelling at a speed of between 52 and 57km/h on Clegg Road, causing it to rotate, roll and then hit an embankment.

Judge Hogan said she didn’t think she’d seen an intersection with ‘so many advance warnings and markings’.

At 160m from the intersection at the time of the incident, was a sign warning motorists of the presence of pedestrians, cyclists and horses. At 134m are signs on both sides informing drivers of upcoming rumble strips, with those strips starting at 111m from the intersection. Prepare to stop signs can be found 85m from the intersection, with more rumble strips 42m away and then a visible stop sign 6.7m from the solid line intersection.

Continued page 4

Never ending pothole saga

By Dongyun Kwon

The community is suffering from the recurring issue of bad quality road conditions, especially whenever heavy rain sweeps over the region.

Yarra Glen resident Louise said she saw many potholes while she was driving and the issue seemed to be an ongoing cycle.

“My husband and I generally travel Melba Highway to Lilydale and through,“ she said.

“Specifically for Melba Highway, when we have a huge downpour similar to what we had last week, we’ve had way worse than that, any potholes that may have already been filled can slowly become unfilled.

“They could fill the potholes today, and then three weeks later we’ll get a heavy downpour of rain and they appear again the next day or after a few days. They need to be repaired to a point where they don’t need to be refilled every time there’s rain.“

Louise works for customer service in the public transport industry where she cannot work from home.

“It’s not an easy fix for us because even if there’s rain and the roads are closed, we still have to go to work.”

She said people want to ensure the safety of their cars and themselves on the roads.

“We’re going to have continued road closures of Melba Highway because of rain and flooding and if Yarra Glen residents are required to travel and take alternative routes to get to their destinations, we also need to ensure these routes are safe for road travellers,” the Yarra Glen resident said.

“We pay insurance but we don’t pay insurance to travel on a road that’s potentially not safe to travel or going to damage our cars.

“We can stop some people from going into the hospital by avoiding car accidents by having our roads top-notch.”

The Victorian Government is investing $6.6 billion into the maintenance of its road assets over 10 years, as part of a multi-year funding approach for a long-term plan and deliver works strategically across the state.

VicRoads needs to wait for drier and warmer conditions in order to carry out the maintenance repairs as cold and wet conditions can jeopardise the effectiveness of any repairs made.

The maintenance crews of VicRoads are continuing to monitor every single kilometre of the arterial road network on a regular basis, delivering short-term repairs where needed and planning for long-term solutions.

They also continue to regularly monitor and assess reported hazards, along with all roads across the Yarra Ranges region, in line

with our responsibilities under the Road Management Act.

“We’re finalising a program of works that will repair and rebuild roads across the state, including those in the Yarra Ranges, thanks to a more than $964 million investment to maintain Victoria’s road assets as part of this year’s budget,” a department of transport and planning spokesperson said.

VicRoads has recently completed its 202324 road maintenance program, with crews working hard to repair and rebuild roads across the state as part of a $770 million investment by the Victorian Government.

VicRoads encourages road users to report hazards on the arterial road network by calling 13 11 70.

Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) built environment and infrastructure director Hjalmar Philipp said potholes are caused by water seeping into the road through a small hole or crack in the asphalt.

“When cars drive over this area, it causes a pothole to form. Potholes can happen on

roads that are in good condition, it’s not the impact of the rain on the surface of the road that is of most concern, it’s the impact on the base levels of the road which wear away quickly once the water gets in,” he said.

“Traffic on wet roads increases the amount of water seeping into minor cracks on the road network, weakening the foundation and creating potholes.

“Reconstruction works need dry weather to ensure all cracks can be sealed. A lot of the work we do throughout the winter months are interim solutions for the safety of road users until conditions allow for a more permanent fix.”

McIntyre Lane is a collector road and the YRC road management team is arranging an inspection.

Edwards Road is a local road, and one section of the road has been rehabilitated last financial year by the council while further sections are to begin this financial year and after.

Victoria Road is a collector road, and two sections have been rehabilitated last year and

the year before with further sections planned this year and after.

Coldstream West Road is a collector road, and patching works have been completed in sections and are being monitored.

Hjalmar said not all roads are maintained by the council, thus it is important to report the concern to the correct authority or organisation.

“We rely on community reporting in addition to our proactive inspection program, and we ask community members to report potholes on council roads by calling 1300 368 333 or by lodging a form on our website.,” he said.

“Council has a Road Management Plan which sets out the intervention levels for defects and the timeframe for repair.

“Council-managed roads are classified as collector or local roads and the guidelines are to inspect and repair reported defects that reach intervention level within 20 working days of request lodgement for collector roads and 40 days for a local road.”

Uphill battle as SES and paramedics tackle traffic

By Callum Ludwig

Upper Yarra SES crew members and Ambulance Victoria crews faced a literal uphill battle as they responded to a rescue callout on Mt Donna Buang on Saturday 20 July.

Emergency services were called out to the incident at about 1.35pm, right in the midst of the rush of visitors to see the recently-fallen snow on the mountain.

Upper Yarra SES Unit Controller Hannah Brunton said they sent out a support vehicle and a rescue vehicle following Ambulance Victoria.

“We knew that we would have access issues due to the amount of snow that had fallen, and also because we were aware of how many people were up on the mountain as well, which made access a bit difficult,” she said.

“The information that we had from the caller and from dispatch was that this person was in the snow, so as far as we were concerned, she was injured and still in the snow.”

An Ambulance Victora spokesperson confirmed that one person was transported by road to Maroondah Hospital with a lowerbody injury.

Ms Brunton said it was it was pretty shocking seeing how unaware people were that they had to move for the flashing lights.

“Before we got to the bottom car park, there was already a long line of traffic just at a complete standstill, which meant that we had to drive the rest of the way up the mountain on the wrong side of the road,” she said.

“We’re getting up there as quickly as we can because obviously the longer the paramedics can’t get to her, the more likely it is that her injuries are going to get worse, especially as she could exposed to the cold for a long while,”

“The grader had been through for most of the roads, there was access on both sides for people to move over but they just weren’t.”

A vehicle had also become stuck in snow on the way up, just prior to the gate monitored by Parks Victoria, and was contacting their insurance for assistance, creating a further backlog of traffic.

Upon arrival, Ms Brunton said the patient had been brought inside to the first aid room by the park rangers which was really good.

She was out of the snow but still was wet and cold and in quite a bit of pain and we determined that it probably wasn’t the safest idea for our truck to come up the rest of the way, bcause that section of road between the top car park and the summit hasn’t been graded,” she said.

“The paramedics made the call to admin-

ister pain medication to the patient and then to transport her down the summit in our vehicle, we used a stretcher to get her from the first aid room into the vehicle, made her comfortable and then slowly made our way back down to meet the ambulance,”

“We were super lucky, this woman only had a leg injury, so it was nothing that was life-threatening or critical, but if this was a heart attack or a severe injury with bleeding or something like that, the delays caused by people who just didn’t know how to drive to the conditions around them could have been fatal for someone.”

The SES truck took a paramedic up to the patient on the summit while the ambulance had stopped to put on snow chains.

Ms Brunton said Donna Buang is a unique place but it gives them a bit of stress because so many people want to go there.

“It’s just so beautiful, it’s accessible, it’s local, it’s free and so many people go out there unprepared,” she said.

“There’s people out there in short shorts, people out there in jeans and runners while we’re out there in full, heavy clothing and still freezing, it’s not just about knowing what to do with emergency vehicles on the roads, but just knowing your surroundings and driving to the conditions and your abilities.”

Traffic and a lack of

Unit)

Potholes on Healesville-Kinglake Road, Healesville. (Stewart Chambers: 421352)

Risk ‘well known’, prosecution states

By Dongyun Kwon

In a pre-trial ruling regarding the case of Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park, a judge has decided on what evidence will be heard in the trial.

The caravan park has been accused of failure to meet its statutory duty to ensure the safety of its camping ground in the County Court of Victoria.

On or about 13 March 2021, a large tree branch or tree limb broke from a tree and landed on Benjamin Murphy as he slept in his tent at campsite 93, and he died from his injuries.

The prosecution opening dated 12 January commences with a recitation of the circumstances of the incident on 13 March 2021.

In the pre-trial ruling, the prosecution alleged that there was a risk that a large tree branch or tree limb (or both) could break from the tree and fall to the ground, and if a person or persons were underneath the tree at the time, they could be struck by the falling tree branch or tree limb resulting in serious injury or death.

“The document goes on to allege that the accused had no formal or documented system of work for routinely inspecting trees and their branches to identify the risk of trees or branches falling, nor a policy concerning the frequency with which an arborist should attend the park to perform inspections’,” it reads.

“Finally, the opening summarises the ‘expert’ opinion of Graham Hughes, an arborist

who considers that ‘an annual assessment [of trees] should be conducted in locations where people are in the vicinity of trees for periods of time, such as camping grounds’ and that such an assessment should be performed by a trained arborist.”

The prosecution claimed the risk was well known as were the measures available to ameliorate the risk.

“At the time of the incident, it was reasonably practicable for the accused to engage an arborist to undertake an annual assessment of the trees at the workplace and follow any recommendations made by the arborist,” it reads.

“The accused failed to implement the above reasonably practicable measures.”

A defence response dated 5 February has been filed with the court.

In response to the prosecution opening, the accused stated that the prosecution is attempting to impose on the accused a level of perfection which WorkSafe does not require of other caravan parks or similar premises.

The accused objected to the prosecution leading any evidence of the incident as inadmissible and stated failing to lead evidence of an investigation carried out by Cameron Ryder, an expert who wrote a report for the accused about the tree involved in the accident, would be unfair to the accused.

“The accused had in place a comprehensive procedure for safely managing risks associated with trees at the park,” it reads.

“Daily walks were conducted by maintenance staff and management. After the storm

activity, the walks concentrated on observing any tree damage from the storm that may need immediate attention.

“Any identified concerns were rectified by maintenance staff or outside contractors.”

As a result, there are three issues that require rulings from the court at this time; the admissibility of evidence of the incident, the admissibility of the evidence of Mr Hughes and whether the prosecutor should call Mr Ryder.

Judge Rozen said it is premature to determine the issue finally at this stage.

“Having regard to the above principles, and the need for restraint by a trial judge in interfering with a decision of a prosecutor, I will not at this stage direct the Director to call Mr Ryder,” it reads.

“Much will depend on the conduct of the prosecution case. It is open to the accused to raise the matter again during the trial if it wishes to.”

The judge said the other unresolved pretrial issues identified by Mr Russell, who appeared for the accused, are the subject of ongoing discussions.

“I have taken into account that, subject to establishing that his evidence is relevant to the questions for the jury, Mr Ryder could be called to give evidence by the accused,” it reads.

“After all, he was retained by the accused to answer questions put to him by the accused.

“The court is of course available to assist in their resolution as necessary at short notice.”

IN BRIEF

Patching and repairing works on Allsops Road, Launching Place

Patching and repairing works on Allsops Road, Launching Place will be completed by Yarra Ranges Council’s contractor May Asphalt Group Pty Ltd, between 8am and 4pm from Monday 29 July to Friday 2 August, weather permitting.

Yarra Ranges Council advise that whilst every care will be taken to ensure works are completed during the specified period, circumstances beyond their control (including inclement weather, plant and equipment breakdowns) may require the program to be altered.

One lane will be closed at the time of works where applicable. Emergency access will be available.

Delays will be kept to a minimum with the maximum being 15 minutes.

Lilydale SES rescuing people from snow fell on Mount Donna Buang

Currently, five SES units including Upper Yarra, Lilydale, Marysville Nillumbik and Alexandra as well as Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria using specialist 4WD ambulance are assisting a significant number of people on Mount Donna Buang after a large amount of snow fell.

It seems few if any vehicles are carrying chains and have become stuck after a substantial dumping of snow.

Please avoid the area to make it safe for emergency crews to operate safely.

Late night collision in Wesburn CFA, SES and paramedics responded to a vehicle incident on the Warburton Highway in Wesburn at around 2.57am on Thursday 25 July.

A CFA spokesperson said two units responded from Wesburn and Yarra Junction.

“Crews discovered a car had struck a pole, no one was trapped,” they said.

“The incident was deemed safe at around 3.15am,”

“The relevant power company was contacted and the incident was handed over to Victoria Police.”

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed one person was transported by road ambulance to Maroondah Public Hospital in a stable condition.

Sparking powerline causes outage in Launching Place

One Hillcrest CFA unit responded to an incident involving a powerline on Mathers Avenue in Launching Place at around 2.02am on Thursday 25 July.

The incident involved powerlines arcing and sparking and impact with a branch.

The relevant power company were called to the scene.

The incident was deemed under control at 2.24am and safe at around 2.44am.

According to Ausnet’s outage tracker, the outage is still under investigation with crews delayed in arriving at the site.

82 Ausnet customers are affected by the outage.

Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park has been accused of failure to meet its statutory duty. (File: 231934)

Prison sentence for Uber driver

From page 1

Ms Singh told his psychologist after the accident that he was aware the road was notorious for incidents but ‘never thought he’d be one of them’.

At the scene, he was heard telling police‘I’m sorry, please tell them I’m sorry’ and asking if the passengers were ok.

Less than three hours after the crash Lewis Carnegie died in the Royal Melbourne Hospital having suffered a crush injury to his pelvis while Peter suffered lacerations to his head and neck, multiple fractures, required an IV drip and a blood transfusion and upon discharge 10 days later, was still suffering from amnesia as a result of the crash.

Mr Singh’s passenger Mr King said expected Mr Singh to slow down and stop as they approached the intersection, while Ms Henning put her hand up with palm out in anticipation of the crash after realising Mr Singh had not stopped.

Mr Singh had been living and studying in Melbourne since 2018 when he moved at the age of 19 and had been an Uber driver since June 2021. He had multiple references from employers, friends and members of the Melbourne Sikh community indicated his good character and the remorse and guilt he had felt following the incident.

As a result of his sentencing, Mr Singh is likely to have his visa cancelled and will be unable to continue to pursue his studies in Australia. His mother, who had travelled from India to support her son, was allowed to hug him before he was taken away.

Victim impact statements from Ann and Jorja O’Connor had been read out following Mr Singh’s guilty pleas last week:

Jorja O’Connor said she had been unable to bring herself to drive since the incident and said ‘her life was changed forever’. Following the death of her grandmother, she had been spending multiple hours of her week tending to and spending time with her grandfather prior to his death.

Ann O’Connor, who rushed to the scene of the accident, said her father ‘looked frightened’ as he was whisked away by the ambulance and lamented not being able to be by his side as he passed, having been not able to get to the hospital in time.

Mr Singh will be eligible for parole after two and a half years.

Wandin Fire Brigade Captain Darryn Goss spoke to the Star Mail in February 2023 following the crash and said their concerns regarding the road were brought to life following the collision.

“We had another motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Wellington and Clegg Road and ultimately it has cost the 89-year-old gentleman his life,” he said.

“Despite there being multiple stop signs, people are still not aware to stop at this intersection and the Wandin Brigade is concerned

for the community and really wishes that the Council and State Government do something to reduce incidents here, it was only a matter of time until someone lost their life.”

According to the Wandin Fire Brigade’s records at the time, there had been 25 incidents reported at the intersection of Wellington and Clegg Road since 2020, involving 30 patients and now one fatality.

“The ripple effect of someone impacted in an accident or losing a loved one flows on from the immediate family to emergency services personnel who are attending these incidents, and while money might be a factor, can we really put a price on life,” Mr Goss said.

“We also feel there may be contributing factors from GPS devices where drivers are prompted to proceed through the intersection and not being aware of the stop signs that are in front of them.”

Sodium-ion batteries a game changer

By Callum Ludwig

An expert in sustainability is calling for Australia to adopt a new rising technology that could allow our energy grids to run on 100 per cent renewables, and the Yarra Valley may have already taken the first step.

Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University Peter Newman AO wrote in an article for The Conversation that sodium-ion batteries are ‘set to spark a renewable energy revolution’ and he belives Australia needs to be ready for it.

Prof Newman has also been a part of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), particularly focusing on transport and cities, and helping guide net zero transitions throughout the world.

Prof Newman said while Australia has been able to absorb a lot of solar and wind because it’s very cheap and easy to put in, we have needed to focus on firming.

“Firming is a backup to the system for whenever there’s any drop in the power, which happens sometimes with the fossil fuels as well and usually it was done by gas,” he said.

“The gas industry picked up on this and created the idea that they would need to increase the amount of gas that they were digging up, sending out and liquefying because the world was going to need it for firming in their grids,”

“I always felt this was very shaky ground because there’s an enormous amount of solar and wind that can be produced, far in excess to needs, as long as we can store it so it’ll still be available for the times when the system is needing it when the sun’s not shining and the wind’s not blowing.”

The Yarra Valley became a pioneering region for sodium-ion batteries in Australia when in December 2022, UK-based company Faradion installed small stationary sodiumion battery modules at a trail site.

Faradion was contacted for comment.

In an article for the BBC in March 2024, Chief Executive of Faradion James Quinn said sodium is a much more sustainable source for batteries [than lithium]

“It’s widely available around the world, meaning it’s cheaper to source, and less waterintensive to extract,” he said.

“It takes 682 times more water to extract one tonne of lithium versus one tonne of sodium. That is a significant amount.”

Prof Newman outlined some of the pros and cons of sodium-ion batteries in his article, with positives including that the technology to make lithium-ion batteries is very similar to sodium-ion ones so could transition with ease, sodium is far more abundant than lithium and sodium-ion batteries hold their charge much longer and would lead to a reduction in the environmental issues in the mining, recycling and disposing of lithium.

However, sodium is less energy-dense than lithium, requiring more space and energy to hold the same amount of charge, thus limiting the environmental boost as more material is required anyway, though analysis from MIT in 2022 indicates this is improving, with their energy density two years ago equal to that of lower-end lithium-ion batteries in 2021.

Prof Newman said he always thought the breakthrough in renewable energy was going to be in storage and now sodium-ion batteries are getting better and better at long-duration storage.

“Lithium-ion batteries in our phones, our computers and our watches need to be recharged after a certain time, depending on how much you use over the day but for the grid, they would only last for a few hours maybe overnight at the most and therefore they’re not a good enough source of firming,” he said.

Shire makes rate adjustment

By Callum Ludwig

A small adjustment has been made to the rates for Yarra Ranges residents after the Tuesday 23 July Council meeting.

The minor change had to be implemented after Yarra Ranges Council received supplementary valuation changes from the Valuer General of Victoria (VGV) between the council adopting the 2024-25 final budget and the end of the last financial year.

Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar spoke to the motion and said this is a fundamentally administrative adjustment.

“It flows from mainly timing considerations of providing data to the Valuer General and then our endorsement that followed shortly after, of the budget,” he said.

“This year there’s a larger than usual component of supplementary rates to the tune of around 380,000 above estimates and council needs to then marginally reduce the rate in the dollar amounts that flow to the rest of the community to comply with the rate cap of 2.75 per cent and that equates to the princely sum of around $4 per assessment,”

“I’m satisfied the calculations provided are correct and so very happy to support this motion tonight.”

“Sodium-ion batteries are different because they are bigger, the sodium atom is bigger than lithium, therefore it’s heavier, but it can also last longer and it’s now up to a week that it could back-up a grid,”

“By 2027, sodium-ion batteries around the world would be commercial and would be cheaper than gas so you have a situation where not only can we make 100 per cent renewables, but we don’t have to subsidize it.”

In his article, Prof Newman refers to analysis from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that indicated the competitive prices of sodium-ion batteries could lead them to enter the global market in 2027 and match gas on cost, while he also pointed out that the US Department of Energy estimated in September 2023 that sodium-ion batteries are ‘expected to adopt a significant market share by 2030’.

Prof Newman said he believes the markets are going to drive this because it’s going to be cheaper.

“At the moment the Climate Change Authority is assessing the extent to which we can meet our renewables goals and they are still, they have been saying all along we still need gas for firming,” he said.

“They [sodium-ion batteries] are the market baby at the moment, they’re growing so fast, they’re very cheap, and they don’t need any backing,”

“Governments can’t always get the future right, the International Energy Agency have been doing projections into the future for renewable energy for the last 20 years and every year they get it wrong, every year they predict that it will flatten out because there’s so much momentum in the fossil fuel industries and every year renewables grow even faster, it’s now over 30 per cent in solar and a little less in wind.”

If the changes weren’t adopted, it would have resulted in Yarra Ranges Council charging a rate increase of 2.94 per cent, rather than the capped 2.75 per cent increase permitted.

Changes in the number of levies of each type, the rate in the dollar (RID) itself and subsequently the revenue raised byYarra Ranges Council for each have all altered slightly.

The number of residential, vacant sub-stand, farm and commercial levies all reduced, recreation/cultural levies remained the same and the number of industrial levies increased.

The RID was reduced in all categories, with the most significant reduction being in the uncapped recreation/ cultural levies and the general total from rates has been reduced to $146,215,000.

Lyster Ward Councillor Johanna Skelton seconded the motion and said the Council always has to wait for the valuations.

“We don’t get to dictate when they come to us and in this instance, it’s caused us to have to do a bit of a correction but overall I think residents and ratepayers will be probably happy that it is that $3.97 approximate reduction,” she said.

“That’s an average but we obviously have to do this to maintain the rates being at the cap that we’ve nominated so it’s an essential and procedural process.” Councils are not reprimanded or deemed non-compliant if they have to make a rate readjustment following the VGV valuation but the Essential Services Commission does recommend Councils have processes in place to identify possible non-compliance and readjust rates as early as possible to reduce confusion and cost for ratepayers.

Anmoldeep Singh will face three years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving charges. (AAP Image/Con Chronis)

Yarra Ranges Council has made a readjustment to rates to be brought back into compliance with the rate cap. (File)

Yarra Valley & Croydon Toyota

NEWS Iconic tree needing TLC

By Callum Ludwig

A speaker has brought Yarra Ranges Council’s attention back to The Warburton Tree, claiming that it is dying and in need of care.

Cadi-Lee Beach attended the meeting to raise her concerns.

Ms Beach said the Warburton Tree is in dire need of help and sustainable outcomes for future generations.

“I have been nothing but perplexed and disillusioned by the lack of response, by the fact that I have absolutely, as have many of my friends, community members that I’ve met through the coming together in community for a common cause that we see as pivotal,” she said.

“People don’t want to be accountable for their own paper trail, they don’t want to stand up, they don’t want to take action in a timely manner because the essence of the Warburton Tree is that it is dying and we have a duty of care to act in a timely manner,”

“I’m exceptionally passionate about this and I’m sorry that my delivery of care comes from a place of complete and utter frustration at a system that is not working for a vulnerable member in our community which happens to be a tree.”

Ms Beach is also involved in hosting a smoking ceremony at the Warburton Tree on Thursday 25 July.

Director of Built Environment and Infrastructure at Yarra Ranges Council Hjalmar Phillip said council actions regarding the Warburton Tree last year were undertaken for public safety.

“Council acknowledges and respects that some trees and locations have special significance to members of the community and support the different ways in which members of the community may recognise or connect with these spaces,” he said.

“This has been achieved through current arrangements at the site and through expert advice on how best to support the tree, its focus has been on supporting soil health and again with current arrangements in place, the expert advice supports that and the tree is currently subject to the monitoring program as all trees in public spaces are.”

Ms Beach also claimed that the Royal Botanic Gardens offered to give specialist assistance to the tree but Mr Phillip said Yarra Ranges Council had received no offer.

Streeton Ward Councillor Andrew Fullagar said perhapsYarra Ranges Council could invite Royal Botanic Gardens experts to the site.

“I’m very much aware that the tree is of significance to Warburton and perhaps more than some other people might think so I hear you,” he said.

“Every tree has its own lifetime, but we want to preserve it as long as we can.”

While the Warburton Tree was part of the discussion, Ms Beach also expressed her frustrations at the lack of responses to her email correspondence from councillors, a sentiment

that Cr Andrew Fullagar and Mayor Sophie Todorov echoed the importance of improving.

“It’s really really frustrating when you put your heart and soul into understanding frameworks, understanding the acts and all you get is an automated response,” Ms Beach said.

“It’s not that hard to sit there and write a five-minute or two-minute response that’s personalized because then it gives us hope and also a level of respect.”

O’Shannassy Ward Councillor Jim Child asked Mr Phillip for an update on the health of the tree, who confirmed that Council specialists had taken a look at the tree.

“There’s dieback on the northern stems but the rest of the tree appears to be in reasonable health, the south and the eastern branches have good leaf coverage,” he said.

“The overall assessment is our experts don’t consider it to be dying full stop.”

Township group for Yarra Junction edging closer

By Callum Ludwig

The building blocks of a township group for Yarra Junction are continuing, with another meeting of residents taking place last week.

15 residents and workers from the township attended a meeting on Thursday 25 July with the aim of discussing a name and purpose for the group.

While they haven’t quite settled on the name and purpose yet, matters discussed included the history of the town, it’s central position within Upper Yarra, services and events provided and the need for public awareness of these, individual visions for the town and the current lack of a united ‘voice’ for Yarra Junction.

Long-time Yarra Junction resident Frank Colverson was one attendee and said it took a little bit longer than they thought it would, but they are about 15 minutes away from deciding on the purpose and name

“Most of the group are relatively new to the town, moving here over the last several years so they weren’t aware of some of the stuff like in the 90’s, there was plans to turn the former shire office into a pokies venue but a group got together to stop that in the town,” he said.

“There have been development committees and so forth over the years but we haven’t had one for quite a while so know there were people who were interested to hear what can be achieved with community input,”

“There’s an interest from the new people in the history of the place and I think for people like me that have been here for a while, it’s great to see that there’s another diverse group of people that want to come in and progress the place more.”

There’s a total of 17 township groups in the Yarra Ranges, including the Millgrove Resident’s Action Group (MRAg), Warburton Advancement League, WHYLD Community Group, the Reefton McMahon’s Action Group and the Little Yarra Valley Community all in

the Upper Yarra.

Mr Colverson saidYarra Junction has been a central spot to muster resources and provide help in the Upper Yarra over the last 80 to 100 years.

“There’s been a history of offering support in natural disasters, particularly bushfires, as a cenral spot for those out on the Little Yarra river such as Gladysdale, Powelltown and those sorts of places as well as Don Valley,” he said.

“There’s a role for a township group in advocating assets should be able to form a group who will be respected for their opinion on what’s needed in the town over the coming years.”

Yarra Junction community members have also previously met representatives of Monbulk And District Community Opportunities Working Group (MADCOW) who shared some of what they have been able to achieve.

Mr Colverson said will bring all the different people in the town who are operating individually now and bring them together.

“If we can put together basically a list of all those organisations in the town and what they do, and we can help with distributing information communications, there’s a central hub then for them to operate around,” he said.

“We will be holding another meeting in the coming weeks.”

Community members discussed a potential name and purpose for a Yarra Junction township group. (File)

The Warburton Tree became the subject of a submission at the Tuesday 23 July Yarra Ranges Council meeting. (File)

NEWS Projects gaining traction

By Dongyun Kwon

Badger Creek Community Group (BCCG) presented their new community plan to the Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) to inform the projects the community will be undertaking over the next four years.

BCCG member Rachael Davidson attended the latest council meeting on Tuesday 23 July to represent the group.

Ms Davidson said BCCG started with a passionate group of badgers in 2016.

“The group led the process of understanding what the Badger Creek community valued about living in our town and what they thought would make Badger Creek better, and the feedback was detailed in the last community plan that we developed,” she said.

“Building on the feedback, a great number of initiatives were undertaken by the group, and they included things like community gatherings, some skill-building workshops, a social media presence and a spring festival.

“We then were impacted by Covid, it put a dampener on our activities.”

After Covid-19, the group undertook to revitalise and reconnect with the community.

Ms Davidson said BCCG applied for a grant and ran Have Your Say Day to collate ideas about what the community members wanted to see for the future of Badger Creek.

“Have Your Say Day highlighted the importance of open space, environment, infrastructure to access that environment, and connection to our past and to each other,” she said.

“As part of that day, we contributed to writing a community poem.

“We then had a Community Picnic in April to launch our plans and celebrated it with the various community groups that could call Badger Creek home, and as part of the preparations for the picnic, we asked the primary school to illustrate the community poem for us.”

The group is now working on a number of

projects based on the ideas which were collated through the HaveYour Say Day.

Ms Davidson said the group is trying to improve access to the natural assets by creating accessible paths and tracks as well as to improve the Badger Creek Hall to celebrate its 100th birthday next year.

“We’re also working with Healesville Sanctuary and the State Government to revitalise the roundabout at the entrance to the sanctuary,” she said.

“We are looking at ways to tell the stories of our Indigenous and settler ancestors, and we’re exploring a range of options to make our history more accessible to locals and tourists.

“We’re building our resilience by creating stronger connections with each other, and we’re also looking at building a community emergen-

cy hub facility in Badger Creek.”

Ryrie Ward councillor Fiona McAllister has shown great support for this group as she attended some of the events the group organised.

Cr McAllister said the group has been the community connection in fun and creative ways.

“I love everything that the group has done over the years,” she said.

“I think all of us around this table understand the amount of energy and effort that goes into it,”

Cr McAllister asked a question to Ms Davidson.

“It’s hard for community groups, like CFA or any group with a clear purpose, to keep energy and focus,” she said.

“What advice or insights do you have that

have kept that energy and reinvigoration possible?”

In response, Ms Davidson said it’s changed with the different members of the group.

“In the pre-Covid, there was a real energy around lots of social events. The group has reformed and we’re a little bit more focused around how we can make our environment great,” she said.

“Our key members are really keen to make people know that they’ve arrived somewhere when they come into Badger Creek rather than just be somewhere that they pass through on the way to Healesville Sanctuary.

“It’s a really important place, particularly with our history around Coranderrk, we’re keen to tell that story, and that’s what keeps us motivated.”

Have Your Say Day at Badger Creek Community Hall. (File: 399569)

Energy upgrades light up

By Dongyun Kwon

Badger Creek Hall (BCH) committee and Healesville Community Renewable Energy (HCoRE) celebrated the success of the energy efficiency upgrade of the hall on Wednesday 24 July.

At the celebration, the two groups chatted about the upgrade process and the history of the 99-year-old hall while having morning tea.

HCoRE also prepared a special video showing the upgrade process.

HCoRE president Karen Roberts said this energy efficiency upgrade project is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when two community groups work together.

“Badger Creek Hall holds a special place in my heart, and I’m extremely happy that HCoRE decided to use some of the Sustainability Victoria funding to help spruce the hall up, make it more comfortable, and reduce their running costs in the form of lower energy bills,” she said.

“The timing has also been perfect as the Badger Creek Hall committee prepares for the centenary celebrations due to take place in February 2025.

“It’s been a pleasure working with their committee and I’d also like to acknowledge the dedication our technical manager Leo de Jong has shown as project manager.”

HCoRE managed the upgrade project with the grant received from SustainabilityVictoria.

The project has made better use of the previously installed solar roof panels by electrifying the hall.

Two reverse-cycle air conditioning units have been installed instead of two large gaswall heaters.

To improve the level of insulation in the hall, ceiling insulation, pelmets and heavy-duty curtains have been installed.

The electric heat pump has been installed after the gas instantaneous hot water boiler was removed.

Fly wire screens have been installed to allow cross ventilation of the hall.

Weather sealing of external doors and weather sealing of wall ventilation openings have been installed too.

BCH committee member Adam Cole said HCoRE has been very supportive.

“The most obvious change is the heaters, we haven’t used them as air conditioners yet,” he said.

“As far as heating goes, it heats the space up in five minutes which is amazingly efficient.

“Obviously, the insulation and the curtains greatly assist with maintaining temperature, and the heat pump electric hot water is brilliant.”

Healesville Library’s First Nations children’s day

By Dongyun Kwon

National Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander Children’s Day is coming back to Healesville Library after a huge success last year.

The event will be hosted from 10am to 11.30am on Friday 2 August by Healesville Library in partnership with Oonah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.

Your Library children’s services officer Rose Herring said this is the second time for the library to celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

“We had our first event in 2023 and it was such a great success,” she said.

“We had about 80 people attending last year.

“We’ve decided to bring it back bigger and better.”

The theme for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day 2024 is ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together’.

There will be a story time, a craft activity and a special performance by First Nations artist Shauntai Sheree Abdul-Rahman along with morning tea.

Shauntai Sheree Abdul-Rahman is a proud Wiradjuri woman, living and working on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung land.

She is a multi-faceted vocalist and com-

poser who effortlessly inhabits the worlds of opera, inspirational soul and gospel, classical composition and theatre-making.

“Shauntai is a principal artist with Short

Black Opera, and has performed with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, for the Indigenous All Stars Basketball Round 2023, Port Fairy Spring Musical Festival and Australian Dance Theatre,” Ms Herring said.

“Shauntai is currently in the process of writing her first Australian Musical which is supported by Creative Victoria, inspired by the life of her late father Wally ‘Wait a While’ Carr an Indigenous boxer who is inducted in the Boxing Hall of Fame in Melbourne.”

Healesville Library is encouraging locals to come to the event and celebrate the special day together.

“It’s a free event with no bookings, and it’s suitable for families who have children aged zero to six years,” Ms Herring.

“We welcome everyone, it’s an event for everybody coming together in the spirit of reconciliation.

“Indigenous families and non-Indigenous families are all very welcome to come along and celebrate with us.”

The event is sponsored by the Lions Club of Healesville and Healesville RSL.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day event in 2023. (File: 351900)

The electric heat pump. (Dongyun Kwon: 421368)

BCH committee and HCoRE had a special celebration on Wednesday 24 July. (Dongyun Kwon: 421368)

Two reverse-cycle air conditioning units have been installed. (Dongyun Kwon: 421368)

The two groups watching a video showing the upgrade process. (Dongyun Kwon: 421368)

A chaotic night awaits

A touring comedy show is set to visit Warburton at the start of next month, showing one night only at the Arts Centre, Warburton.

Director Phillip A Mayer, who has strong family ties with the region, said the show is a train wreck and the audience gets to watch it unfold in all its uncomfortable glory.

“This is a comedy for anyone that has family members considered to be black sheep, or have eccentric neighbours you would not invite over for a drink,” he said.

“Tim and Andrea have just moved into their own apartment, and they’re throwing a housewarming party to celebrate and their carefully chosen guest list, which includes her family but not his, is about to be thrown into chaos by some uninvited guests, who proceed to upend the evening, and drive a wedge into their relationship, which may already have a few cracks anyway,”

“You think your family is bad, wait until you meet this lot, when the cast first read the script, they couldn’t believe the story was based on actual events and real people. Of course, we blow the situation up, make it larger than life, but the basis for the story is steeped in real life and knowing this makes the evening even more entertaining”

The show is recommended for audiences aged 15 years and over due to the mature themes.

Mr Mayer said viewers will have to buy a ticket to find out if this young relationship will survive the pressure of purchasing a home and the meeting of their vastly different families.

“The central characters start out stressed

because they’re throwing a party, and they want to impress the guests, they want to make sure everything is perfect so the night runs smoothly, but when family members show up uninvited, and the neighbours start knocking, things get derailed, spiralling into complete chaos,” he said.

“Some characters you’ll identify with, some you’ll feel sorry for, and others will make you cringe at their inappropriateness,”

“We use a mix of social observation, modern relationship commentary, and satirical farce. I try and write comedy to cater to various levels, so we have base rude humour, clever thought-provoking jokes, pop-culture references, situational comedy and larger-than-life characters, which combine to give the audience an hour and a bit of genuine laughs”.

The show ill take place on Saturday 3 August from 7.30pm.

Mr Mayer said they rely on audiences and bums on seats for survival.

“We love coming to the Yarra Valley, and for me, it’s like returning home, the Mayer family have a long history with the area, from the old Chalet to the golf course,”

“Hopefully we bring something different to the local theatre scene, in producing original theatre, and creating entertaining experiences,”

“Wine & Nibbles certainly fits the bill and will challenge some, but it’s relatable, every family has at least one embarrassing member, and you know they’re going to disrupt the family gathering.”

Share your pain story

The state government inquiry into women’s pain is asking Victorian girls and women to share their experiences of pain and pain management by the end of the month.

Thousands of women and girls across the statehavesharedtheirpersonalexperiencesof pain and its management so far - this will help shape the way the government delivers treatment, care and support for women inVictoria.

Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas announced on 24 July that more than 12,000 contributions have already been made to the government’s inquiry into women’s pain.

“For too long women’s pain has been overlooked, misdiagnosed and dismissed – we’re taking action by listening to Victorian women andtransforminghowwomen’shealthistreated inVictoria,” she said.

Withoneweektogountilthesurveycloses, thegovernmentisaskingformorewomenand girls to make their voices heard reflecting the diversity of experiences across the state.

The survey is available in ten community languages including Arabic,Turkish,Vietnamese, Italian and Greek.

So far, there’s been an overwhelmingly pos-

The multi-award-winning theatre company Here There and Everywhere

Are hitting the road with their outrageous new comedy ‘Wine & Nibbles’ and the Arts Centre Warburton is the next stop.

Described as ‘an evening of incorrect social intercourse’, the show is based on real events, and explores a housewarming party thrown by a young couple who have just purchased their first home.

HT&E is a Gippsland-based company who produces original work, touring One Act Play Festivals, the independent theatre circuit, and large events like Melbourne Comedy Festival and Melbourne Fringe. The company has won many awards over the years for their contemporary, observational, inappropriate and edgy shows.

The company has bought shows to Warburton over the last few years, and is well- known for producing hit comedy productions, including Bogan Shakespeare, Table 17, Couples and El Diablo, among over thirty original comedy plays the company has toured.

Wine & Nibbles is a housewarming comedy nightmare to end them all, and is showing at the Arts Centre Warburton Saturday 3 August for one show only at 7.30pm as part of a state-wide tour. The show is rated for mature audiences over 15 years, with adult concepts and language, and parental guidance is recommended for viewers under 15.

Go to yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Experience/Events/Wine-Nibbles or call 1300 368 333 for tickets.

The Arts Centre Warburton is located at 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton.

itive response to our survey from women and girls across Victoria, including family members, carers and supporters as well as clinicians and healthcare workers.

Parliamentary Secretary for Women’s Health Kat Theophanous said this is an extraordinary response from women and girls acrossVictoria who have generously lent their voices and experiences to help shape a health system that truly understands their pain.

AllinterestedVictorianwomenandgirlsare encouraged to share their stories before the submissions and survey closes onWednesday, 31 July.

Through the survey, women and girls have told the government about the daily impact pain conditions have on their lives.

The survey findings along with written submissions and feedback from more than 20 community forums and focus groups will inform recommendations to the Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council by the end of the year.

Submissionscanbemadeathealth.vic.gov. au/public-health/inquiry-into-womens-pain.

Come see ‘Wine & Nibbles’ in Warburton. (Supplied)

Nothing but ‘good food’

By Callum Ludwig

The much-loved Gladysdale Bakehouse has been recognised for its tasty array of baked goods and treats, being announced as a 2024 Reader’s Choice Award winner by the Australian Good Food Guide.

Co-owners Jason and Melanie Rush have owned and operated the bakery in Yarra Junction for nearly 17 years this year.

Mr Rush said it was a bit of a surprise.

“It’s not something that we go out chasing, we just do what we do from day to day but I think when you get something from someone like that who’s a pretty reputable organisation I would have thought, it’s good credit and recognition to the staff that come in and work their butts off every day,” he said.

“As much as we don’t go chasing those things, it’s always nice to receive them, it gives everyone in this day and age who are pretty flattened, pretty sombre out there at times, especially with the weather, it gave everyone a bit of a pump up.”

Mr and Mrs Rush took over the Gladysdale Bakehouse in the first week of November 2007, with many local staff working it before and since, including their own children.

Mr Rush said the place has just grown and grown in their time.

“We’ve gone through different eras, we did a bit of bread early on, then we canned that and we got our first chef in and ever since we’ve done that, started doing brekkies and turned ourselves into a bakery-cafe, it’s just gone from strength to strength, he said.

“We’ve turned the bakery into a destination for people, though we obviously appreciate all our local trade, but it’s definitely become a destination venue in the Yarra Valley is what we think.”

Gladysdale Bakehouse is one of 11 bakeries to be recognised in the Australian Good Food

Guide’s 2024 awards.

Mr Rush said while awards are nice, to see a return customer who has come back through the door after a previous good experience is what he enjoys most.

“There’s no doubt that the Gladysdale pie has been known for 30 to 40 plus years so we just expanded upon that and now our brekky is quite popular, what we call our ‘ancy sanga’ menu is quite popular, we do good coffee and our cakes are good,” he said.

“One thing that we’ve done well over the journey is our product has been consistent, people know that they’re going to come and get a set and consistent product, not preten-

tious, not too complicated, just good tasty food,”

“The other big thing for us is value for money, we’ve focused on food turnover rather than increasing our prices and so on.”

Gladysdale Bakehouse isn’t the only bakery in the Upper Yarra to have received recent recognition, with the Wandin Bakery taking out awards for its sourdough and some pies in the Baking Association of Australia’s 2024 Australia’s Best Pie and Pastie Competition and National Artisan Baking Competition.

Mr Rush said it’s good to see a couple of the smaller businesses in the Yarra Valley getting some recognition.

“It’s awesome, we’re all for new business, we’re all for people continuing on, it’s just good for everyone when everyone’s thriving,” he said.

“We’re known as the Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges, and we have a little Warburton Highway up the centre and we miss out on a bit of the spotlight so businesses that get any recognition up our highway I think is fantastic whether it be from Wandin right up to Warburton.”

Little Joes in Warburton also received a Reader’s Choice Award from the Australian Good Food Guide.

Special visit from Kevin Sheedy to St Joseph’s

By Callum Ludwig

St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction welcomed a special guest recently, with the young AFL fans at the school particularly excited.

Legendary AFL coach and player Kevin Sheedy visited on Monday 22 July to share some of his knowledge and experience with students.

Casual relief teacher Thelma Asbury was the connection to Sheedy who brought him to the school and said everyone really loved it.

“A lot of the students probably and their parents were a bit young for Kevin’s playing and coaching days, but all the same, they were really pleased,” he said.

“[Principal] Nick [Boyhan] explained to the students who Kevin was, so the students were very excited and they loved the whole day and they loved doing the skills.”

Foundation to Grade Two students spent the first session with Sheedy where he explained the different types of kicks before working with students on those kicks and their handballing skills. After morning tea with the staff, Sheedy did a more advanced ball skills session with the Grade Three to Six students.

Ms Asbury said the visit gave students a connection to football and a good bit of knowledge, as Sheedy is a ‘real stats man’.

“We drew a map of Australia and he talked about where players came from in the first place, talked about Indigenous players he knows a lot about which students were really interested in as we’ve had a big focus on Indigenous matters here at school as we celebrated NAIDOC Week,” she said.

“Kevin was really instrumental in recruiting a lot of players from various places, he talked about how many players have come from Ireland and their code of football as well as about Mason Cox coming from Texas,”

“He also talked about players from out here in the Yarra Valley that have been

picked up by various teams, like [Damian] Monkhorst who came from Woori Yallock and Jack Dyer who went to school in Yarra

Junction.”

Students who came up and demonstrated in front of others were handed some

footy records by Sheedy and St Joseph’s Primary School presented him with a gift to thank him for his time.

Darcie compares the size of her hand with AFL legend Kevin Sheedy. (Supplied)

Kevin Sheedy with L-R: Harper, Marley and Clara. (Supplied)

Kevin Sheedy calls up James to help with a demonstration. (Supplied)

L-R: Michelle, Marie-Ann, Melanie and Jason Rush, Angela, Lisa, Andrew and Laura. (Stewart Chambers: 421211)

Melanie Rush with the ever-popular vanilla slice. (Stewart Chambers: 421211)

Be ready to vote soon

Eligible residents and ratepayers are urged to check they are enrolled to vote for the upcoming local council elections by 4pm Wednesday 7 August.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has issued a call ahead of the enrolment deadline next month.

“If you’re 18 or over and you live in or pay rates to a Victorian council, enrol and have your say on the future of your local council,” he said.

Australian citizens who have recently turned 18 or changed address can enrol or update their details online at vec.vic.gov.au/ enrolment

Anyone on the state electoral roll is automatically enrolled for their current address for these elections. There are also additional council enrolment categories for non-resident owners, occupiers, company nominees and

non-Australian citizens who pay rates.

The rules for council enrolment have changed. Property owners who don’t live in the council area but may be eligible to vote because they pay rates should contact their local council for further information.

The 2024 Victorian local council elections will be the state’s largest single election program, with a predicted 4.7 million voters participating in 465 individual elections across 78 councils.

Moira Shire Council is under administration and will not have a general election this October.

Further information on enrolment is available by calling 131 832 or at vec.vic.gov. au, where voters can also sign up to the free VoterAlert service to receive important election reminders by SMS and email.

Two award nominations

Yarra Valley Water has been shortlisted as a finalist in the 2024 Australian Service Excellence Awards (ASEAs). These awards celebrate outstanding customer service across all industries in Australia.

Yarra Valley Water was nominated in the Customer Service Team of theYear category in the prestigious awards, which are run by the Customer Service Institute of Australia.

Managing director Pat McCafferty said it was an honour to be recognised and paid tribute to the Yarra Valley Water team.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated people for the work they do every day to make sure our customers have a positive experience,” he said.

According to Yarra Valley Water’s recent customer satisfaction results from March to May, satisfaction remains consistently high, with a rating of 87 per cent.

Mr McCafferty attributed this success to having a strong organisational culture and shared values.

“Everyone contributes to make this a great place to work - every action, every

conversation, every kindness helps to create a constructive culture that makes a positive difference,” he said.

YarraValleyWater was nominated alongside other finalists in this category, including leading brands The Holland Insurance Company and nib Travel.

In addition to the team nomination, Yarra Valley Water employee Corali Duncan has been named as a finalist in the Customer Service Leader of the Year category.

It follows her previous win in 2023.

As one of Australia’s largest retail water utilities, Yarra Valley Water delivers reliable water and sewage services to over 2 million people across 198 suburbs.

In 2022-23, the water utility provided 150 billion litres of high-quality drinking water to customers, equivalent to more than three and a half Silvan Reservoirs.

Yarra Valley Water’s outstanding customer service was also recognised in the 2023 Australian Service Excellence Awards (ASEA) and the Auscontact National Excellence Awards.

Yarra Valley Water’s service experience team, who have been nominated for Customer Service Team of the Year 2024. (Supplied)

Council election enrolments will close after Wednesday 7 August. (File)

ECOSS in the limelight

By Callum Ludwig

Yarra Valley ECOSS recently welcomed an exciting visitor, with volunteers and supporters flocking to Wesburn to come to say hello.

Gardening Australia and Costa Georgiadis visited on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July to find out more about the different programs and sustainability projects being carried out at ECOSS.

Executive Officer of Yarra Valley ECOSS Chelsea McNab said it was so exciting and brought a lot of joy to everyone at the site.

“All our volunteers showed up, we made a

mock market and everyone showed up for that and Costa was incredibly kind, patient and generous with his time with everybody that he interacted with,” she said.

“They contacted us last year and wanted to come out but we thought it was mid-winter and so we wished that they would come at a time of year when the garden’s more floral but that didn’t happen so when they contacted us again this year I figured we’ve got to do this and it coincided with the time that Costa was down which was exciting.”

Gardening Australia particularly took an interest in filming Yarra Valley ECOSS’ All-

abilities CRops for Community program, the nursery, the Silvertine Biodynamic Farm and ECOSS’ relationship with Four Pillars Gin and composting their botanicals.

Ms McNab said Yarra Valley ECOSS will be on air on ABC’s Gardening Australia’s program on Friday 20 September.

“They spent two full days here from 8am to 6pm, the first day was filming about ECOSS and the second day was using us as a site for doing their links, they usually use the botanical gardens in city but they used us this time,” she said.

“I feel like it helps put us on the map and when you get such positive feedback from people that go to lots of places like Costa, it helps us to really value ourselves and our volunteers’ work and everything that we’ve created here to make it when someone is seeing it through fresh eyes,”

“Costa was pretty excited, he’ll be back here again definitely and I feel like we’ve formed new relationships there that are valuable.”

Gardening Australia is on 7.30pm on Fridays on the ABC channel with repeats at 1.30pm on Sundays, while full episodes can also be watched on ABC Iview.

Koha Music Festival returns after eight-year hiatus

By Callum Ludwig

A throwback for supporters of the Koha Community Cafe is coming up, with the muchloved Music Festival Fundraiser making a return.

Eight years since the last edition, the event is both a fun day for all and a crucial fundraiser for the cafe to help continue its weekly community meals.

Suyin Chan and Michelle Fisher of the Koha Community Cafe said in the past, they have organised a few large fundraisers for Koha to raise funds to keep the cafe going and to continue to provide for our community.

“We were reliant on donations and small grants which did not cover the running costs,” they said.

“With the cost of living causing increasing financial stress on people, our donations, like so many charities are going down,”

“The music fundraisers were the brainchild of Michelle Fisher and Lily Hellicar who were able to bring together a huge amount of bands, businesses and individuals who generously donated their time, talent or goods for our music events and our mega raffle, to help us raise funds.”

Held from 4pm to 10pm, each band or artist will perform an hour-long set with the lineup featuring Szara Fox and the Midnight Secrets, Tim Ireland and The Captain, The Idle Idolisers, Beez Neez, Starvation Creek, TOIL and Bluffy.

Ms Chan and Ms Fisher said attendees will be treated to a plethora of much-loved local bands.“These bands have a long history of bringing the community together to dance and just connect with each other, we haven’t had an event like this, where local bands come together for a fundraiser in Warburton

since Covid,” they said.

“Then we have the famous Mega raffle, this is a raffle with a difference and we have a huge array of prizes donated by businesses and local artists, there are vouchers, artwork, plants, gourmet food, handcrafts and even a guitar,”

As we draw the tickets, if your number comes up, you go up to the prize-laden table and choose whatever prize you want, it’s kind of hard not to win a prize.

The event will be held on Saturday 17 Au-

gust.

Ms Chan and Ms Fisher said during the event, Koha will be doing what it does best by putting on a delicious spread of food, with curry, cake, chai and mulled wine on the menu.

“In the tradition of Koha cafe, it’s not just about feeding people but also bringing the community together,” they said.

“We believe that this is why past Koha music festivals have been so successful, everyone has a soft spot for Koha Cafe, it’s been

a staple in this community for nearly 15 years and what better way to bring the community together than good food, good music and a dance,”

“The Koha music festival has always been popular because it brings everyone together, all different ages and reminds us how important community is.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Koha community meals on Thursday nights between 6pm and 8pm or online at trybooking. com/events/landing/1248582.

The Koha Music Festival is returning after eight years. (Supplied)Szara Fox and the Midnight Secrets will open the event.

ECOSS volunteers and the Gardening Australia crew. (Gardening Australia)

L-R: Bjorn Low and Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia)

ECOSS representatives take in the filming process. (Supplied)

REV IT UP Experts in car repairs

Yarra Glen Automotive prides itself on providing the best experience for its customers.

Specialising in tyre and puncture repairs, wheel alignment, logbook and general servicing they also offer caravan and trailer servicing and repairs.

They can assist with air conditioning services and brakes and suspension issues as well.

Since opening in 2018, they have strived to build a business that their customers know and trust.

Owner Ashleigh Skillern highlighted they also have a great work culture for their staff and make sure they know they’re valued.

Living in Yarra Glen, Ashleigh has a strong connection to the community helping to build trust and relationships, with customers knowing they won’t be treated as just ‘another number’.

They also sponsor the Yarra Glen Bowls Club, Yarra Glen Cricket Club and Yarra Glen Football and Netball Club.

Ashleigh is proud that they have created a business that customers feel comfortable recommending to others, and while getting through the pandemic was a challenge, they were grateful for the support they received.

Owner Ash Skillern prides himself on creating a business locals can trust.

The Yarra Glen Automotive team includes Brandon, Oliver, Zoe and Ash. (Stewart Chambers: 419796)

Alistair’s legacy displayed

By Mikayla van Loon

A master of pottery, both in life and in death, Alistair Whyte’s legacy as a humble teacher shines through in a posthumous exhibition hosted by YAVA Arts Hub and Gallery.

As a nod to Alistair’s 50-year long career as a potter and artist, as well as a celebration of what would have been his 70th birthday in early August, his family decided to pay tribute to this man of sheer talent but also the kindhearted educator who gave much of himself to others.

“It’s really an exhibition to show the breadth of his work but also his skill because he was a working artist for about 50 years,” eldest daughter Emi said.

“There’s probably not that many of his early pieces because looking through the studio we tried to find really good examples of the very different styles that he’s done over the years.”

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a display of Alistair’s most iconic work, the porcelain donning the traditional blue and white aesthetic.

“[It] is very traditional in Japan but also in parts of China as well. So that’s really been one of his biggest influences and you can see a lot of his master’s inspiration in his work because he worked under a master in Kyoto for quite a number of years,” Emi said.

From the Chinese skill of celadon glazing to his later work with wood firing and a collection of both crystalline and non-crystalline tea bowls which were collaborations with fellow artists Ted Secombe and Koji Hoashi, the exhibition brings to life the stages and styles explored over decades.

But perhaps the “prize piece” of the exhibition is one of deep connection to the Whyte family.

“The pinky coloured one is a pot that was made by Alistair before he passed away and he made a short series of them for the family because he knew he was getting close,” Emi said.

“The glaze inside is called tenmoku, so it’s a Japanese glaze and then the external glaze is actually one of Ted Secombe’s crystalline glazes.

“In the crystalline glazes and also in the tenmoku it’s very traditional to have ash included into those. Alistair spoke quite in depth with Ted before he passed away saying that one of his final wishes was once he passed away, that he would like his ashes to be included in the glaze for the family.”

The embodiment of Alistair’s life and work in this one piece epitomises his desire to challenge, to teach and to leave behind lessons.

“We call it the final form because that’s what he wanted. He was essentially a potter his whole life. He wanted to become the vessel at the end so he can live on that way.”

Emi said in many ways designing the exhibition and selecting the works was a healing process for the family, being only a year since they said goodbye to Alistair.

“It’s been a very good process for grieving because the studio was very much his space. So it has been amazing going into that and really feeling like dad could just pop his head around the corner at any time,” she said.

“And opening up different boxes we hadn’t

even looked in for 20 years or longer, seeing pieces from when we were younger or pieces we’ve never even seen before.”

For second youngest daughter Yoko, she said “there were so many works I’d never seen before” because of the incredible archive of works her father had, “some from before we were born”.

Being back in an exhibition space, especially doing the behind the scenes work, Yoko said reminded her of her childhood.

“It feels very familiar to growing up and going to different exhibitions with dad and helping him out,” she said.

“I remember in his earlier exhibitions when we were kids, he had a lot of Japanese friends and he made us all like T-shirts that

had our names in Japanese on the back and he did a screen print on the front of some of his pots and with a saying that he created that is ‘flowers bloom and fade away but ceramics last forever’.”

While many of the works are special in one way or another, some stand out as truly showcasing the technical ability he crafted and honed from his early days.

This is particularly present in the celadon glazed works, highlighting Alistair’s carving ability and the careful firing required; a larger porcelain vase not normally produced by potters because of the weight and risk of slumping in the kiln but also Alistair’s painting skill; and the gold pieces.

Yoko said those gold works, because the

leaf shape resembles a gum leaf, it “feels like my heritage in an artwork” in bringing the Japanese and Australian influences together.

The legacy and teachings Alistair leaves behind in both his ceramics and his book

Turning Inside Out: From Australia Potter to Master of Japanese Ceramics, Emi said hopefully will help inspire the next generation.

But more than that, the exhibition rightly named A life in Clay, is a celebration of Alistair Whyte in all his forms.

“We want to celebrate dad. He was not just an amazing father but an amazing artist,” Emi said.

The exhibition will run until Sunday 18 August at YAVA, located on Main Street in Healesville.

For Emi, this large porcelain vase showcased her father’s talent in both pottery and painting.

Alistair Whyte’s daughters Emi and Yoko found the experience of designing the exhibition healing. (Mikayla van Loon: 421338)

Alistair’s life and work is both captured in the tangible pottery and the photographs displayed. The porcelain ceramics in the traditional blue and white was Alistair’s most iconic form.

Works from across five decades have transformed the YAVA Arts Hub and Gallery space.

The gold finished and the etched celadon glazed works highlight Alistair’s variety and skilful technique.

Look back on local ruins

By Joy Gothe

On the banks of Lillydale Lake stands crumbling ruins of two stone walls, which are the sole remains of another essential building that once existed in the town.

The ruins of Cashin’s Mill are the sole physical remains and a reminder that it was also one of the first landmarks in the area and it was fully established before the town became known as Lilydale.

At the east end of the lakes dam wall is where the two storey stone flour mill majestically stood.

It was built in the early 1850s by Hugh Kneen

of Fitzroy, allowing flour miller, James Cashin who had newly arrived in the area with his family, to achieve his dream of owning a mill of his own, which soon became a reality and he established the first industry in the town and also built his family a cottage on the hillside above the mill.The remains of this building are significant because it was one of the first flour mills built in Victoria and the mill is now regarded as the town’s first industrial building.

Water from the Olinda Creek was diverted along a water-race to the mills huge waterwheel which provided the power to turn the grinding stones which ground the grain into flour.

Local farmers now had a choice to either

Exciting entertainment of show at local theatres

Burrinja Theatre

Helios – Wright and Grainger

Internationally award winning modern retelling of an ancient myth.

A lad lives half way up an historic hill.

A teenager is on a bad trip to the city in a stolen car. A boy is driving a chariot pulling the sun across the sky.

A story about the son of the god of the sun.

HELIOS transplants the Ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth wound round the winding roads of rural England and into the everyday living of a towering city.

A story about life and life and the visible monuments we build into it.

Season: Friday 30 August at 7pm. Venue: Lyric Room.

1812 Theatre

The Sweet Delilah Swim Club

The Sweet Delilah Swim Club is the story of five unforgettable women who set aside a long weekend every August to meet at the same beach cottage, the Sweet Delilah to catch up, laugh, and meddle in each other’s lives.

An hilarious and touching comedy about friendship that ;lasts forever.

Season: 1 – 24 August.

1812 theatre in Association with Redfox3

Kemp’s curtain call

Theatre Company Coherence

Australian Premiere – Strictly Limited Season.

A group of friends gather for a dinner party where relationship tensions and secrets sizzle bellow the surface.

But when a comet passes close to Earth, it shuts down power supplies and phone connections.

Don’t mis this mind bending theatrical experience.

Season: 5 – 14 September.

Bookings: 9758 3964

REMEMBER:

· Lilydale Athenaeum theatre – Clue on Stage – Season: 5 – 21 September. Bookings; 9735 1777.

· National Theatre – A Chorus Line – Season: 7 – 22 September. Bookings: 0534 02212.

Same flaw as Asteroid City resurfaces in new movie

Deadpool and Wolverine

Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman

Rated MA15+

3.5/5

In Deadpool and Wolverine, the mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds), aka Deadpool, must team up with the disgraced Logan (Hugh Jackman), aka Wolverine, to save his universe from deletion by the Time Variance Authority.

Jackman slips back into the fierce Logan/ Wolverine role as if he’d never left, and Reynolds remains a death-dealing good-hearted goofball as Wade/Deadpool. Wade and Logan have great adversarial chemistry, and share a moving arc of making a difference and learning to be a hero again.

Emma Corrin plays the villain Cassandra Nova with gleeful sadism, the bloody action is thrilling and well-shot, and the film is full of fun fan-service cameos.

Unfortunately, despite the multiverse-ending stakes, the plot proceeds with a serious lack of urgency, including a very slow middle and a rushed finale.

I normally like foppish villains such as Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman or John Travolta as Terl in Battlefield Earth (shut up; he’s fun), but Matthew Macfayden feels forced as TVA agent Mr Paradox.

From the comics to the films, Wade has al-

ways been an irreverent fourth-wall-breaking character, and the metatextual gags in the first two films are a fun garnish of self-commentary and self-deprecation over solid superhero drama.

In this third film, the corporate merging of Fox and Disney is writ so large across the narrative, with the Void as a metaphorical (yet also literal) dumping-ground for cancelled or rebooted franchises, that it’s hard to draw any real tension from the plot (see also The Wonder and Asteroid City, if you don’t mind me beating those dead horses).

Despite the poor pacing and taking the fourth-wall-breaking too far, Deadpool and Wolverine is a highly-entertaining superhero film that will delight fans of the title characters, and is playing in most Victorian cinemas.

send their grain to Melbourne by bullock dray or have it ground into flour, pollard and bran at Cashin’s Mill.

But sadly, by the end of 1864, production had dropped dramatically following severe insect attacks, floods, drought and rust which affected all the district cereal crops, so after a very wet season this left very little to harvest.

During the next few years, small quantities of wheat were grown but the wheat farming era of the district was finished and so was the mill.

The Cashin’s remained in Lilydale, and after James’ death in 1873, his sons took over the mill and started a saw mill on the site.

After a few years, the saw mill also ceased

CARTOON

and the building remained empty until it was destroyed by fire on 25 March 1915.

Since then, the mill has stood silent and gradually collapsed in on itself, but the small vestiges that remain today remind us of a once thriving industry and stands as a symbol to the wheat farming era of Lilydale.

In 1978, the Lions club expressed interest in rebuilding the mill as it used to be, but the project was so large and the skills required so difficult to come by that nothing came of the idea.

If you have an interest in Lilydale’s history or would like to come and volunteer visit our website at lilydalehistorical.com.au or email us at info@lilydalehistorical.com.au

Worthy YA historical novel

A review of The Killer Code by Ellie Marney

During the Second World War, the U.S. Army took over Arlington Hall, in Virginia, to house its code-breaking effort. The building used to be a junior college for women.

Then it became the base of thousands of women who used maths and patterns to decode intercepted enemy messages.

As DCist, a community news website in Washington, D.C., describes it: “The women of Arlington Hall...ultimately contributed to the breaking of several key codes, including the famous German Enigma machine, the Japanese Navy’s fleet code, the cipher used in communications from Japanese diplomats, and the code used by Japanese supply ships in the Pacific.”

In her YA historical fiction The Killing Code, Australian author Ellie Marney mentions a fellow novelist had wanted to write about codebreaking but was disheartened by the amount of research required.

Consider, for example, Enigma by Robert Harris, The Bletchley Girls by Tessa Dunlop, or Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly.

It’s definitely a daunting task.

But Marney fixed her mind to it and persevered, and the result is a brilliant example of “write what you want to read”.

The Killing Code tells the story of Kit, who is recruited by the U.S. Signals Intelligence agency to work at Arlington Hall in 1943.

When government girls are brutally murdered, she is drawn into the hunt for the serial killer. Kit joins forces with fellow codebreakers Dottie, Moya and Violet, and their friendships blossomed.

Readers are brought into their inner circle, aided by Marney’s meticulous research on everything American in the 1940s – from food and fashion to mannerisms and speech styles, and then to the cultural expectations and sociopolitical norms.

There is also considerable emphasis on the inner workings of the Army and its wartime intelligence work.

While the code-breaking process may be confusing without demonstrations at hand, there is sufficiently detailed depiction of the time and efforts involved, both individual and collective, to help readers comprehend its significance and complexity.

But the most noteworthy part of the novel, at least in this reviewer’s opinion, is how Kit and her cohort apply their code-breaking skills and insights to solving the crime.

These are the fundamental steps of psychologicalprofiling,gathering,decipheringandanalysing data in order to identify the behavioural patterns and psychological characteristics of the killer. The final and crucial clue comes from the process of breaking the Enigma codes, but the mystery of Kit’s identity is also satisfyingly solved. An equally impressive character isViolet from the segregated code-breaking unit, who is intelligent and fierce.

Indeed, the camaraderie, courage and commitment of not just the four girls but all the women contributing to the war effort is both endearing and empowering.

The Killing Code is a smart book in its gentle way of tackling difficult issues such as war, crime and punishment, racism and segregation, same-sex relationships, and women’s rights.

Subtly and effectively, it casts light on the many types of injustice in our society, while celebrating the good and the beautiful in our daily lives.

Games of the Olympics

By Maria Millers

Creatures of a day! What is anyone? What is he not? A man is but the dream of a shadow.

Yet, when the brightness comes as a gift from heaven, there is a shining light upon men, and a gentle life.

Ancient Greek poet Pindar from Olympian Odes.

The opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympiad in Paris defied conventions of a stadium based event and instead transformed the city’s many recognizably famous landmarks and the River Seine into a grand stage to offer an eclectic mix of performances: sometimes spectacular, sometimes kitsch and sometimes even a little weird.

The concept of the Olympic torch relay was introduced for the first time at the 1936 Berlin Olympics the relay seen as symbolizing the connection between the ancient Greek ideals of physical prowess and the Nazi ideology of Aryan supremacy.

It was intended to present the Nazi regime as the inheritor and protector of these ancient traditions.

At this point, the torch relay has been completelydisassociatedfromitsNazipast,butithas occasionally sparked controversy over the years.

The Torch is now seen as a “symbol of international brotherhood.”

There is always something stirring about the moment the Olympic cauldron is lit to signify that the Games have begun.

The International Olympic Committee says the flame “is a manifestation of the positive values that Man has always associated with the symbolism of fire and thus makes the link between the ancient and the modern Olympic Games.”

Many will possibly be reminded of when Cathy Freeman experienced a brief technical glitch while lighting the cauldron at the Sydney

COMMUNITY DIARY

DIARY

WHAT’S ON AROUND THE VALLEY

New defibrillator for Coldstream Football Netball Club

Coldstream Football Netball Club is now equipped with a lifesaving new defibrillator thanks to a grant from federal Casey MP Aaron Violi.

The Coldstream Football Netball Club was

2000 Olympics.

WOORILLA WORDS

Despite this hiccup, the moment remained powerful and symbolic, with Freeman’s role highlighting the significance of reconciliation and unity in Australia.

For many, the next two weeks will be a period of watching and cheering the home team and counting the medal tally and our place on the leader board.

There will be the usual team of media cheerleaders.

To be proud of our athletes is positive but a descent into jingoism should be avoided.

Moreover, not everybody regards the Games positively. Today one of the most stringent criticisms is the cost of the event, particularly for the host nation.

The latest estimate of the budget for the Paris Olympics is $9.7 billion and yet less costly then London, $16.8 billion, Rio’s financial disaster at 23.6 billion)andTokyo over 13.7 billion.

Among the biggest costs are the investments in Infrastructures that often turn into white elephants and have little to do with the real needs of local people.

Add to that the cost of providing a safe environment for athletes, visitors and locals.

In Paris, 35,000 police officers are being employed each day with a peak of 45,000 for the

able to purchase the defibrillator after receiving a $2,330 grant through Mr Violi’s recent Volunteer Grants round.

Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by providing grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 to support the efforts of volunteers and encourage others to get involved.

“Defibrillators at local sporting clubs like Coldstream Football Netball Club keep both players and spectators safe and provide extra peace of mind for all at the club,” MrVioli said.

“In the event of an emergency, every second counts.

The defibrillator will provide all who use the club with a sense of relief that in the event an emergency occurred, they have the equipment they need to ensure best chances of survival.

“As our local MP, I am proud to see local sporting clubs like Coldstream Football Netball Club investing in this equipment for the safety of others in our community.”

opening ceremony.

The attacks on the Paris fast trains showed that vigilance was indeed necessary.

Often the perceived long lasting commercial benefits have resulted in less than sensible actions: Greece tore up 2000 year old ruins, Russia trashed n entire village and London abandoned its carbon mitigating goals.

Underlying the Greek Games in Olympia in 776BC was the rule that all; hostilities between states were to cease.

A worthy requirement but sadly not adhered to in the modern Olympics.

Nevertheless, the goal of the modern Olympic movement is still to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport, fair play and no discrimination of any kind.

This goal has remained elusive as Games in the past have been politicized `The 1936 games are remembered for Hitler’s propaganda to promote Aryan superiority’.

Jesse Owens showed otherwise, becoming the first American of any race to win four gold medals in track and field in a single Olympics, an achievement that stood till 1984.

The 1972 Summer Games in Munich saw the deathoftwoIsraeliathleteskilledandninetaken hostage and later killed.

The ColdWar saw a ban on the 1980 Moscow Games for the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, followed by a retaliatory boycott of the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

In the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Australian sprinter and silver medallist Peter Norman stood on the podium alongside Tommie Smith and John Carlos, the American athletes who had finished first and third, respectively.

During the medal ceremony, Smith and Carlos famously raised their gloved fists in a Black Power salute to protest racial discrimination and human rights abuses.

Norman showed his support for their cause by also raising his arm in a Black Power salute. By doing so, Norman demonstrated his solidarity with Smith and Carlos’s protest against racial inequality and injustice.

This gesture was a courageous act of support, especially considering the potential backlash he could face in his home country of Australia.

And he did, facing significant criticism and ostracism, but stayed true to his belief in social justice for all.

Over the years, athletes have become faster and stronger: Citius, Altius, Fortius.

The 1992 inclusion of professional athletes in the Olympics led to a significant evolution in the quality, popularity, and commercial success of the Games, while raising the bar for athletic excellence.

The intensive training regimes, improved attire for swimmers and athletes, nutritional supplements, and of course regrettably the growing prevalence of banned performance enhancing substances undoubtedly played a part.

But this also raises the question: How much can or should a human body be pushed and to what end?

As Maya Angelou puts in The Runner’s Lament: Legs weary, aching, I strain, Pushing through the pain, Body and mind locked in a race, Searching for that sacred space.”

And this brings us to who benefits from the Olympics in its present form?

· Woorilla Poetry Prize 2024 is is open for submissions.

· Please visit woorilla.org.au

Prepare to Switch

Healesville Community Renewable Energy (Healesville CoRE) is running another free community event at the Memo, Healesville at 7pm on Monday 5 August.

This time the topic is electrifying your home and we have two great speakers lined up.

Tim Forcey, the legend who started the Facebook group My Efficient Electric Home, and the managing director of Rewiring Australia, Kate Minter.

There will be an opportunity for Q and A at the end followed by a light supper.

Come along so that when the time is right you are Prepared to Switch.

For more info and to register, please use the following link, //bit.ly/PreptoSwitch

Share your ideas for Green Street, Healesville

In April 2023, Yarra Ranges Council (YRC) vot-

ed to purchase 13 Green Street, Healesville. The purchase fromVicTrack was funded entirely using Open Space Funds available to Ryrie ward. The sale was finalised on 31 October 2023. Before YRC considered buying the land, the council asked the community’s opinion in an engagement in February to March 2023. 98 per cent of respondents wanted the council to buy the land.The top themes people wanted to see related to open, green space and community uses, such as markets, and social gatherings. Following from the engagement last year, YRC wants to check in to confirm what it heard and learn more about community priorities to inform the design of the site. Once a design is drafted, it will be available for feedback.

As the council starts to prepare designs for this open space area, it would love to hear what type of features appeal to locals in Healesville.

Please visit the YRC website to share ideas, shaping.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/open-spacedesign-green-street-healesville

A WARBURTON MASTERPIECE WITH VIEWS

A WARBURTON MASTERPIECE WITH VIEWS

THIS newly built exceptional home has been designed with style and sophistication that will appeal to all. Sleek, modern, and meticulously furnished, its simplicity allows the home to be the highlight, with majestic mountain views as a backdrop. Perched high with privacy as a priority, you won’t want to leave.

This home features premium efficiency throughout, boasting a 6.5 star energy rating, double glazed windows and doors, low energy LED lighting, and natural gas hydronic heating. Every inch of the home feels warm, with an additional level of comfort provided by three split systems. The versatile layout includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus study.

Upstairs, the master bedroom features quality carpets, a large walk in robe, and a sumptuous ensuite. The kitchen serves as the centerpiece of the home with ample space, stone benchtops, seamless and extensive cupboards, quality appliances, and a butler’s pantry, a delight for the chef in the family.

The home features hybrid flooring throughout and an open plan living and dining area with high architectural ceilings that add to the bright modern vibe. The expansive, zero maintenance composite decking offers the best seat in the house, overlooking the golf course and spectacular views of Mount Little Joe. Two additional bedrooms and a large family bathroom complete this level.

Downstairs offers a fabulous setup with a double garage spanning around 56m², a storeroom, and a studio/bathroom with its own patio and access to the gardens. This turnkey property presents an opportunity for an executive buyer looking for a grand weekender, an Airbnb for the up and coming bike tracks, or a home with nothing left to do except enjoy. A superb location with easy access to walking tracks, the pristine Yarra river, shops and cafes - not to mention a wander across the road for the morning round of golf. ●

FAMILY ENTERTAINER WITH VALLEY VIEWS

OVERLOOKING a beautiful view of the nearby valley, this ‘larger than meets the eye’, family home offers spacious living, a stunning half acre garden and an excellent location.

Close to the Emerald township and with very easy access to Wellington Road, this property has been well designed to cater for any sized family with two separate living zones, a formal dining area plus relaxed meals area, four bedrooms – two being master suites with their own ensuites, three bathrooms and a modern, updated kitchen with walk in pantry.

Drenched in natural sunlight, there is a stunning, oversized North facing decking that offers room for outdoor lounge, dining and BBQ space -The ideal place to enjoy the

warmer weather in months to come.

Boasting gas ducted heating, split system, Rinnai heater and wood fire, the home is well equipped to offer a comfortable climate all year round.

Outside, the magnificent 2142m2 block has been divided for ease of use creating a private rear garden oasis that is fenced and front garden that offers circular driveway, double carport and extra parking bay.

An under-house workshop plus extra storage space under the decking has also been added for those who love to tinker, or great for any hobby enthusiast.

When location and size is high on your priority list, this beautiful home will certainly meet all your needs. ●

JUST LIKE BRAND NEW AND MOVE IN READY

THE perfect blend of heritage 1920’s architecture and contemporary style.

Featuring:

· 4 bedrooms or 3 and a formal lounge

· The master – private and spacious – full rain shower ensuite and BIR’s

· Luxurious bathroom – soaking tub - rain shower – stone topped dual vanity - customized lighting, heated towel rails and auto fans

· A state of the art, white and bright kitchen awaits and will delight the avid chefs of the family. Abundant cabinetry and quality appliances.

· The living and dining room, with wood fire will be the ‘meeting place’ of the home, family comes together to eat, relax, and chat about the day.

· An attic is a fabulous ‘extra’ space, gaming room, theatre, office, yoga/meditation, even a library the choice is yours.

· A huge laundry completes the home.

· Oak laminate flooring, new carpets, NBN, data networked, ducted heating, wood fire, split system

Outdoors:

· Useable and fenced 1051m2, established gardens and lush fernery

· A four-car remote garage, rear access, and interior access into the home

· Sealed driveway

· A front porch, perfect for morning coffee

· Spacious covered rear deck with views across Gembrook

· Shed, power and wood store

Location: Perfect location, just opposite the Primary School, walk into town for a coffee and cake, dinner, also bush walks and trail rides nearby, also 15 minutes to Pakenham rail connections, a bus stop nearby. Country lifestyle in contemporary splendour. Nothing left to do except unpack, this home offers the ultimate convenience for busy buyers seeking a hassle-free transition. ●

COmmUNITYFEEL &WALkINTOTOWN

Ifyouarelookingtodownsize,oryouwanttoaddtoyourpropertyportfolio,thenthis over55’sunitistheperfectinvestmentorplacetocallhome.Featuringanopenplan kitchen,livinganddining,kitchenwithexcellentstorage,goodsizedbedroomsbothwith bIR’s, 2WCs,en-suiteeffectbathroomanda separatelaundry,singleremotegarage withinternalaccess,ductedheatingand asplitsystemintheliving.Outdoorsoffers a courtyardforrelaxingorspendingtimepottering,visitorparkingandcommunalgrounds

PEACEFULSERENITYANDIDYLLICLIFESTYLE

Theperfectblendofconvenienceandserenity,accessedvia asealedroad,with a buildingenvelopeinpositiontomakeyourvisiona realitya loteasier(STCA).Thelandis mainlyclearedandisscenicallyblessed,overlookinga beautifuldam.Pleasenotedam iscommonproperty.Youareminutestocafes,specialtyshops,restaurants,amenities, primaryschool,busconnections,horsetrailsandhikes.Connectionsatthegateare electricityandtelephone.Domesticwaterrightswithscopetoincrease

mickDolphin 0429684522

ErinDavies 0493136937

Thischarmingbrickhomeoffers aperfectblendofcomfort &functionality.boasting generouslysizedbedrooms,spaciousseparatelivingareas-onewith awoodfire adjoiningdiningareaandanopen-plankitchen,updatedlaundry,undercoveraccess fromthedoublecarport,workshopwitha separaterumpusprovides amultitudeof options.Outdoorsisfullyfencedwithplentyofparking,establishedseasonalgardens,a hugefrontdeck,chook,wood &gardensheds,compoststalls &2 gardenwatertanks

mickDolphin 0429684522

APERFECTLOCATION

AnthonyIorlano 0494142438

$950,000-$1,035,000

EXCEPTIONALRESIDENCE

Nestledwithina quietcul-de-sac,whereprivacy,securityandpeaceofmindcome standard.Here,theworriesoftrafficandnoisearereplaced bythegentlehumofnature andthecomfortingembraceof aclose-knitcommunity.Thefabulousfloorplanoffers twoseparatelivingzones,twomaster suitesovertwolevels,spaciousloungewitha quaint balconyofferingpanoramicviewsofnaturalparklandandtheDandenongranges. Surrounded bylowmaintenancegardens &includesa doublegaragewithrearaccess. 4 A 2 B 2 C

JanBrewster 0409558805

A GRAND HOME IN A SUPERB LOCATION

THIS remarkable home needs no introduction to the area after being a distinguished well known successful B&B in Warburton for many years.

An opportunity is now available for purchasers to enjoy this gorgeous accommodation opportunity or to have a delightful place to call home with space for all the extended family.

Enter through the gates of Birchwood Manor, it’s truly a home to be admired, proudly set overlooking Mount Little Joe and only a short stroll to the golf course, Yarra River, Aqueduct trail, cafes and shops, this location is exceptional.

Step inside this warm inviting home, the lounge with picture windows with a mesmerising view. The kitchen is lovely with quirky original features, a centrepiece of the home overlooking the large sunroom and formal dining, a perfect place to gather for a family meal.

The ground floor also hosts a bedroom, bathroom, and separate toilet, while upstairs reveals two additional bedrooms, a main bathroom, and a double room with an ensuite, offering abundant living space.

An additional studio has a further 3 beds if required separate to the main residence. 2 large garages, ample undercover entertaining area and well established gardens that really compliment this enchanting home.

A distinctive property in a wonderful location with a genuine feel of yesteryear that needs to be seen to be appreciated. ●

TheChurchYarraJunction,a beautifullyremodeledcountryaccommodation,backsontothe WarburtonTrailandoffers auniquehomeorinvestmentopportunity.Withtourismexpectedtogrow duetotheupcomingWarburtonMountainBikeDestinationin2025,it’sanidealportfolioaddition. Featuresincludebrightopenspaces, awood-burningfireplace,splitheat/airsystems,washer& dryer,euro-styleelectricoven,free-standingbathtub,balcony,nativegardens,andmultipleseating areas.Itsleeps4 with 1Queenbeddownstairsand 2KingSinglebedsupstairs.There’sampleparking, bikestorage,andeasyaccesstolocalcafes,shops,theYarraCentre,andscenictrails.Previouslya Bed& Breakfast,thisturnkeypropertyisnowavailablethroughTheWeekenderPropertyCo.forsavvy investorsorentrepreneurs. 2485WarburtonHighway,YarraJunction

DavidCarroll M 0419539320

HorseHavenon aGlorious5 acres( approx.)

Comeandlivetherelaxedcountrylifestylesituatedon acolourfulandpicturesque 5acres(approx.) Thehomeisfullofcharmandcharacterwithperiodfeaturesthroughoutandboasting3 greatsize bedroomswitha convenient,flexibleandfunctionalfloorplanwith 2bathroomsand astudy/office areawithextraspace.Thekitchenisfresh,spaciousandoffersplentyofbenchandcupboard space,theopenlivingandloungeareasare ahighlightandseamlesslyopenuptotheoutdoors showcasingthestunningmountainbackdrop.Thewholefamilywilllovetheexpansiveopenspace withapprox.5 acrestoexploreandenjoy,a horseenthusiastshavenwithseparatepaddocks, stables,roundyard,hayshed/machineryshedand adoublelockupgarage. Asuperbsmall acreageproperty,welllovedandwelllookedafterina stunninglocation.

FamilySpaceandConvenienceona GreatBlock Boastingloadsofspaceforthegrowingfamilythishomeistheidealspottoenjoythepeaceful countrylifestyle.Offering 3largebedroomsallwithbuiltinrobesandanensuiteinthemain bedroom,bigopenlivingareasgivethewholefamilyplentyofspacetospreadoutwithseparate zonedlounge/familyrooms,theopenplankitchenisspaciousandhasamplebenchandcupboard space.Everyonewilllovetheoutdoorswithapprox.2000sqmtoenjoyandexplore,established, landscapedgardenssurroundthepropertywithplentyofcolourandbirdlifetoadmire.Plenty ofsheddingwith acarport,lockupgarage,woodshed/carportwithloadsofspaceforboats, trailersandcaravansandalso aveggiepatch,plustheaddedbonusofbeingzonedNRZ2offering developmentpotential(STCA).A greatfamilyhomein agreatlocation.

Quietcourtlivingwithmountainviews

Ifquietcourtliving,northfacing,sunny,andneatasa pinhomearewhatisonyourbuyingcriteria, thenlooknofurther.Offering 2bedrooms,themainbedroomishugewithgenerousbuilt-inrobes andneutraltonesthroughoutwithlargewindowstoadmireyoursurrounds.Theloungeroomislovely andsunfilled,certainlytakingthemountainviewsforyoutoabsorbyourselfin.LuxuryVinylwood flooringthroughoutgivea modernfeelandlookwhilebeingconvenient.Thekitchenisquality timberthathasbeentastefullyupdatedandallowsenoughroomfora diningtablealso.Updated bathroom,plentyofstoragethroughout,anda greatlaundrywithcupboardsgalore.Outsideisa wellmaintainedyeteasygardentotinkeraroundin.Carportwithdirectentrytothehome,anda gorgeousverandatocompleteyourdayandtakeinallofyournaturalbeautythatsurroundsyou.

To solve a Sudoku puzzle, every number from 1 to 9 must appear in: each of the nine vertical columns, each of the nine horizontal rows and each of the nine 3 x 3 boxes. Remember, no number can occur more than once in any row, column or box.

ACROSS

1 Immune system organ (6)

4 Clearly demonstrate; prove (6)

10 Was (5)

11 Gaseous fuel (9)

12 Binding agreements (9)

13 Port city in Belgium (5)

14 A counting number (6)

15 Cicatrix (4)

19 Greeting (Ital) (4)

20 Overseas (6)

24 Dollars (coll) (5)

25 The common people (3,6)

27 Training (9)

28 Sharp protrusion (5)

29 Restraint (6)

30 Commands (6)

DOWN

1 Chosen (8)

2 Plant yielding fragrant oil (8)

3 Declare one’s approval (7)

5 Traveller (7)

6 Family members (6)

7 Forces out (6)

8 Fashion designer, – Jacobs (4)

9 Ill from ocean movement (7)

16 Northern Indian state, Jammu and – (7)

17 Fuel pit (8)

18 Consultants (8)

19 Gush (7)

21 Software (7)

22 The best at (6)

23 Discharge (6)

26 Scottish island (4)

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included and each letter may only be used

No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nouns ending in “s”.

AFOOT AFTOS APTER ATONE CACTI CARES CHEAT CORGI EATEN EDGER ENEMY EPICS ERRED ESSAY EVENT GRADE HEART INANE IRATE KNEES LEASE NOUNS ODOUR PANDA PAPAS PASTA

No. 196 No. 196

Wet weather again

By Ron Hottes

The VVV’s:

Once again, the inclement weather and the condition of the course deterred many of the girls from playing. There was no comp as only two hardy souls went out and played. It should be noted that Georgie and Deborah scored 16 and 15 points respectably, and are likely to get a couple of new balls for their troubles.

Wednesday 24 July, Par: With only a small field of ‘walkers’ out, but a late Match Committee notice allowing carts on the course, results were always going to be

modest. But +3 for a winning Par result is not to be sneezed at. Max Carvill posted that special result, so good shooting Max, a fine effort. Glenn Forbes +2 was good enough to earn him the runner-up voucher, so congratulations to you also, Glenn. Those two scores were well ahead of the pack, which is why the ball rundown reached a lowly -2.There were only three NTP winners on this day, because, not surprisingly the 12th and the 15th par 3’s both proved to be too challenging for the whole field.Those 3 NTPs went home with Ron Wilson (3rd), Ken White (who I believe hit a great tee-shot on the tough 5th then missed the birdie putt) and finally Steuart Hawke (9th).

Saturday 27 July, Stableford:

With regular winter showers around, once again the bulk of the small field struggled to post a better-than-moderate result. But one member who was not moderate in the result he posted was David Hatt, with a solid 37-point result. Continued good shooting, Hatty. Paul Osbourne snared the runner-up voucher, by posting a 35-point result. Well done, Ossie. But, the balls only reached down to 34, as there was a spate of 35’s and 34’s. NTP prizes went home with David Scott (3rd), Dale Horrobin (5th), Peter Fox (9th), Robert Ferguson (12th) and Hatty for a superb teeshot on the 15th.

This week’s Horse Talk. (Supplied)

Clinic soon

By Anita Prowse

The second competition of the Winter Series EA Dressage Mid-week event was held on Wednesday and the winners were:

· PSG – Samantha Bartlett on AB Final Romance

· Advanced – Sami Bell on Mayfield Zander

· Medium – Kylie Pedder on Dicavalli

Dimitri

· Elementary – Jessica Sharp on Revelwood Synergy

· Novice – Kaytlyn Lawton on Felton Park Zen

· Preliminary – Allysse Smith on Adagio Royal Decree

· Preparatory – Kimberly Gorringe on Guarango

Bookings for Upper Yarra Pony Club’s Poles and Jumping Clinic on 11 August will be closing on 3 August so get them in quickly as there are only a few spots left. All booking enquiries to anita.horses@ gmail.com

Keep warm and dry everyone and Happy Riding!

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• All advertisements must be pre-paid. For $29.00 you get a 4 line, ONE ITEM ONLY advertisement, restricted to “For Sale” or “Motoring” items only for private advertisers, run initially for 13 weeks or until sold. Additional lines will be charged at $3 per line per publication.

• After your advertisement has run for 13 weeks you must call us each fortnight to renew it for a further 2 week period AND reduce the price of your item by a minimum 5% for items in the “For Sale” section or 3% for items in the “Motoring” section. This process may continue until you have sold your item. If we do not hear from you we will assume you have sold your item and your advertisement will not appear.

• The sale price must be included in the advertisement and the only alterations you may make are to the PRICE of your item.

• Business advertisements, rental hire, pets & livestock and real estate are not included in the offer.

• The publisher reserves the right to decline any booking for the purpose of ongoing gain.

Warburton golfers will welcome the end of the wet weather. (File)

Mavericks share skills

By Callum Ludwig

Young Yarra Junction netballers were treated to a clinic from some of the best players in the country on Thursday 25 July.

Kristiana Manu’a and Gabrielle Sinclair of the newly-formed Melbourne Mavericks came out for the session, helping guide the next generation at the Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club.

Club President Natalie McKeon it was an excellent opportunity.

“It’s a great way to really bolster the excitement especially as we come to the end of the season and it’s really cold and it’s wet, it’s great to see some really wonderful and amazing superstars come out and show them how it’s done,” she said.

“It can also show them what it’s like to progress and be really excellent at something, and being out here it’s not something we have access to really easily all the time.”

Manu’a plays as a goal defence or goalkeeper for the Mavericks, while Sinclair is a goaler, comfortable playing as a goal shooter or goal attack.

Vice President Julie Ormsby said as a committee they decided to hone in the Mavericks this year for a special event.

“It’s not a mundaneThursday night training for 45 minutes, these ladies are going to bring something different to what we offer as coaches,” she said.

“We want to show the kids that you can do it if you want to put yourself and these two [Manu’a and Sinclair’ were exactly like those kids on the baseline once.”

The Yarra Junction Opp Shop and CNW Electrical Wholesale in Croydon stepped in to help fund the clinic, having also supported the Yarra Junction Junior Netball Club’s Inspire Netball Group Clinic last year.

Branch Manager of CNW Electrical Wholesale Chris Cammileri said they were really proud to sponsor the event.

“Team sport for kids is pretty crucial not only their development as sports peoplebut their personality and their character as well in learning to work well within the team environment,” he said.

“We love getting behind local sport and making sure that the kids are active and get-

ting involved.”

The Melbourne Mavericks were formed ahead of the 2024 season to fill the hole left vacant by the former Collingwood Magpies team in the Suncorp Super Netball competition. The club is based at the Waverley Netball Centre in Glen Waverley and plays its home games at John Cain Arena.

Community and Operations Coordinator for the Melbourne Mavericks Grace Markovic said they love having their players come out to the community and engage with grassroots netballers.

“At Mavs, especially during our first year, we want to be visible in the community so it’s im-

portant to us to actually get the players out to associations rather than just staff, we want the kids to see our players in action and the players love it just as much as the kids,” she said.

“We’ve put together a goaling session which all the kids will get to partake in as well as a ball work and defence session which they’ll complete in the other 20 minutes and we also make sure to include a Q&A session so the kids get to ask the players any questions they like about elite sport or the pathway to get there,”

“That can range from what they eat for breakfast before the game to how many wins they get which is a question they get a lot and then we’ll finish off with match play which the kids often find the most fun.”

Burras venture to Yea for wet weather clash

By Alex Woods

This weekend, Warburton-Millgrove ventured up toYea, the morning started nice and sunny but soon turned for the worse just after lunch.

The Women’s footy played at Monbulk against Monbulk in the morning, it was a tough match set to be hard and fighting for that top two spot. Monbulk took control in the first half, having a comfortable lead of 4.2-26 to 1.3-9. The Burras went in for a much-needed reset and came out stronger in the third qtr. They secured 1.5 in the third to Monbulk’s 1 point and were only 7 points behind heading into the last term. Unfortunately, it was Monbulk’s game today and they came home with an 11-point win. Emerson Woods, Sally McIntosh, Kylie Ockwell, Steph Mackay, Hollie Eckhardt and MadiWard were all top performers. Jade Mewburn and Emerson Woods both kicked a goal each.

D Grade started the morning up at Yea. The team had a strong start with a halftime score of 2-17. They managed to keepYea only to score one more goal in the last quarter, and get another 20 for themselves. The final score was 3-37, with Sienna Muir putting up 17, Holly Cole with 13, Maddie Loveless with 4 and Amarli Weir with 3. Tamin Crunden, Issy Maurici and Layla Ata in the defence

were top performers for the game.

C Grade took the court next, they also had a strong start with a halftime score of 7-15. They continued their momentum through-

out the game and keptYea to scoring another 8 and grabbing another 16 for themselves. The final score was 15-31. Ashlyn Hermansen shot 16. Mel Hancock with 11 and Cam Holland with 4. Chantelle Hermansen, Cam Partel and Nicole Winzer were the stars of the match.

A Grade were up next, who also had a good half-time score of 5-30. They continued throughout the game with their skills and speed and got the win 13-62. Bianca Daniels put up 32 goals, Karly Wappett with 28 and Morgan Wyatt with 2. Karly Wappett, Bianca Daniels and Ally Langdon were the top performers for the game.

Reserves started the footy just after midday. They got a strong start kicking 4.3 toYea’s 1.1. The game was much to the Burras’ way, as they continued throughout with their skills and momentum and got the win 15.696 to 2.5-17. Damien Egan had a mega game kicking 7 goals, Mick Walker kicked 2, and Dave Bedggood, Matt Sidari, Tyler Bert, Daniel Schlueter, Chad Currey, and Daniel Hewitt all got 1 each. Josh Sharp made a return from injury and earned himself in the top players, Dave Bedggood, Damien Egan, Harry Rothwell, MickWalker and Caelan Flynn were also stars of the match.

B Grade finished off the netball and the rain decided to join and didn’t stop for the re-

mainder of the day. The game started Yea’s way and the halftime score was just 2 goals between them. The rain was pouring, which made for heavy conditions. Yea had a 6 goal lead heading into the last quarter, but the Burras managed to find some momentum in the last to slowly bring it back. Unfortunately, Yea secured the win by just 1 goal. AlexWoods shot 15 goals, Tayla Ferguson with 8 and Zoe Timoney with 4. Chelsea Barnard, Gabby Woods and Alex Woods were top performers in the game.

Senior Footy finished off the game in terrible conditions. The rain was pouring and the oval was extremely wet and muddy. The boys started strong with a 1.0-6 to 3.4-22 lead at the first break. The second quarter was more to Yea’s way with them kicking 2.3 to Warburton-Millgrove’s 1 point, with the Burra boys having a 3-point lead heading into halftime. In the second half, they managed to take control and secure the win by 15 points. The final score was 5.10-40 to 3.7-25, Trent Elliott, Tom Baker, Tom Barr, Lachy Hewitt, and Tom Marr all secured 1 goal each. Mitch Gordon, Andrew Trende, Jack Lee, Trent Elliott, Nelson Aldridge and Dylan Walker all were top performers for the day.

Warburton-Millgrove hosts Powelltown next week for their last home game for the year.

The Warburton-Millgrove seniors grinded out a win over Yea. (Supplied)

Practicing a pivot and pass. (Callum Ludwig)

Dishing off a pass. (Callum Ludwig)

Passing with power. (Callum Ludwig)

Plenty of questions to ask. (Supplied)

Learning from the best. (Supplied)

Netballers learnt a lot in the two-hour clinic. (Supplied)

Plenty of wins to relish

By Sarah Bailey

Healesville Firsts 3-1 Knox Glory

An electric start from an in-form Healesville side high on confidence saw them score two goals inside the first 15 minutes.

It would have been four but for some great saves from the Knox keeper.

Knox got back into the game with a wellworked goal and hit the crossbar before the break as they started to gain the ascendancy.

The Reds slowed the tempo after the restart and moved the ball well. A contentious offside goal was followed by another that was, this time, allowed and Healesville ran out deserving winners. Goals were scored by Daniel T, James O and John-James.

Healesville Reserves 2-0 Knox Courage

The quality on show belied the fact that the Reserves were a few players short.

A goalless stalemate at half time didn’t do the team justice, but that all changed in the second half as Chris B hit the top corner with a great strike and Ben S went on to seal the win.

Healesville Senior Women’s Firsts 2-1 Knox Strikers

Braving the elements again this week away against Knox, the Seniors continued to play some beautiful football, taking the win with great goals by Sarah C and Kiah.

Healesville Senior Women’s Reds 1-1 Yarra Valley

At home against local rivals Yarra Valley, the Reds led at the break thanks to a great goal by winger Dani B.

An early second-half goal for the visitors tied things up and that was the way it finished in a very close contest.

Healesville U9 Falcons 5-1 Knox Pride

Away against Knox, the Falcons created many chances and began to get on top after an even start.

Spencer B put away two goals, giving the team confidence, and goals to Bryce S and Logan S, a third for Spencer B and a great defensive effort from Jenson R helped the team to victory.

Healesville U8 Tigers 4-0 Knox Strikers

Another amazing game for the team, with Jude C a welcome addition this week.

U9 Redbacks 4-2 Knox Force

The Redbacks used the bigger pitch at Knox to their advantage and created lots of opportunities with their passing game. Ben and Karl scored great goals and the Redbacks were 2-0 up at half time.

After the break the Redbacks continued to dominate, but with five minutes to go the boys started to run out of puff and conceded two late goals.

A fantastic team effort had secured the win, though, with Ben P scoring another hat trick.

Healesville U12 Heelers 5-2 Berwick Spirit

An opening goal by Jesse, three goals by MVP Oscar and a beautiful goal from Cooper off a free kick sealed the Heelers’ win.

Big thanks to Evie for filling in and playing like a champion.

Healesville U11 White Wolves 2-1 Knox Strikers

A Robbie K goal saw the Wolves go into the break ahead 1-0.

In the second half Knox scored from a chaos ball kicked in from the corner to level the score. Will B took a cracking shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to bounce inside the goal. The disappointment of the ref’s decision to disallow the goal only spurred him on, as he made great use of keeper Flynn M’s booming kick-in to get the Wolves over the line.

Healesville U10 Goats 6-5 Knox Pride It was a hard-fought game for the Goats, with a fantastic team effort sealing the win.

Mammoth task proves too much for Yarra Glen

By David Ball and Anne-Marie Ebbels

Yarra Glen faced a mammoth task in taking on top side Healesville on their home ground.

The game started in light rain with the Bloods handling the ball well despite the conditions.

Their quick handball and run was putting pressure on the River Pig defence and at quarter time Healesville had opened up a 27 point advantage.

As the rain began to get heavier, Healesville continued to move the ball with a handball and kick game, whereas Yarra Glen were rushing their kicks into the awaiting Bloods defensive zone. Healesville added another three goals and extended their lead to 48 points at half time.

WithYarra Glen down to one on the bench at half time and without their main forward Josh Hawkins, things only got worse as water was starting to pool all over the ground.

Despite being severely undermanned, the River Pigs never stopped working hard at the contest and keeping the pressure on their opponents, they limited Healesville to just the five goals in the second half.

Final score was Healesville 12.10 to Yarra Glen’s 0.0.

Best for Yarra Glen: Richard Gurney, Chris Beattie, Tom Sullivan, Sam Wood, Jim Marks and Will Duff.

Best for Healesville: S Watkins, L Daly, A Edwards, J Bates, B Wilsmore and D Plozza.

The Yarra Glen reserves took on top three placed Healesville with a severely depleted team.

The game started in good conditions making it easy for the more skilled Bloods midfielders who gave their forwards great supply. They jumped out to a 46 point lead at quarter time.

As the rain started in the second quarter the Bloods were finding it harder to convert, kicking 4.9 for the quarter.

Yarra Glen defenders Matt McKenzie and Andrew Cowan worked overtime and helped

restrict Healesville to just two goals in the third quarter.

Despite Maf Laloulu and Nathan Battle providing a great contest in the midfield, the floodgates literally opened up in the last as Healesville went on to win 17.25 to 0.0

Best for Yarra Glen: Andrew Cowan, Maf Laloulu, Braedyn Crombie, Nathan Battle and Jason Boyce.

Best for Healesville: K Brown, C Boeder, R Hay, T Tweedie, M Renouf and T Campbell.

In the A grade game, the first quarter was tight with both teams making the most of their opportunities.

Yarra Glen went into the first quarter with a three-goal lead.

The second quarter was much the same with the rain changing the way the game needed to be played as the conditions became slippery.

Yarra glen increased their lead by two

goals by half time.

Yarra Glen put in a strong third quarter to increase their lead further to 11 goals at the final change.

Yarra Glen continued to play well in the conditions at ran out winners by 17 goals.

Best for Healesville: M Erickson, J Harris and A Stanley.

For the second week running B Grade played in the worst of the conditions with rain pouring from start to finish and sloshing through the water pooling on the court. In a low scoring first quarter as both teams adjusted to the condition Yarra Glen went into the first break three goals up.

Yarra Glen came out and put in a strong second quarter to go into the half-time break with 15 point and continued to extend their lead at each break to be eventual winners by 36 points.

Best for Healesville: E Duff-Smith, L Rogers

and C Wild.

The C grade game had the best of the weather conditions.

Yarra gen dominated the game from start to finish Healesville struggled to generate any scoring opportunities in the first half going into half time 32 goals down.

The second half Healesville managed to put a few more goals on the board, but Yarra Glen were big winners by 55 goals.

Best for Healesville: E Birch C Wild, E Cameron.

Helaseville U18s started the day with the best of the weather conditions, Olinda-Ferny Creek started strongly and were leading by nine points at quarter time.

Healesville hit back in the second quarter keeping Olinda-Ferny Creek scoreless to go into half time 12 points up.

Healesville continued to apply the pressure and increase their lead to 18 points at three-quarter time.

A strong final quarter by Healesville with a big 34 points win.

The Healesville Women took on Pakenham for the third time this season and had yet to get a win against them.

The first quarter was tight with both teams kicking a goal.

Healesville worked hard in the second quarter to score two goals to one to go into the big break with a seven-point lead.

A similar story in the third quarter healesville outscored Pakenham to go into the final break with a 13-point lead.

In a nail-biting final quarter, Pakenham did all the attacking and kept Healesville scoreless with Healesville hanging on by eight points.

This week allYarra Glen teams travel to Alexandra for Round 16.

This weekend Healesville host their final home game for the season against Seville.

The Healesville women play their final home and away game against Upwey-Tecoma starting at 9am and netball starts from 11.20am.

It was a hard game for Yarra Glen seniors as the rain got heavier. (File: 283158)

Healesville’s Senior Women’s Firsts continue to dominate with a win against Knox. (Supplied)